Tinubu orders intensified search for helicopter crash victims

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an intensified search and rescue operation for passengers of the helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.

The ill-fated helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, was hired by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to transport contract staff to the NNPC’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, NUIMS Antan. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of three lives, while five others remain unaccounted for.

In a statement issued, President Tinubu called on military personnel in the region to actively participate in the ongoing rescue mission, urging them to extend all necessary assistance to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other relevant agencies involved in the operation.

Expressing his condolences, Tinubu commiserated with the board and staff of NNPC Limited and the families of the deceased. He offered prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash, asking that the Almighty grant them eternal rest and comfort their bereaved families.