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October 25, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has directed an intensified search and rescue for passengers of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic near Bonny Finima, on Thursday, in Port-Harcourt.
THEWILL earlier reported that the helicopter, en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig with 6 passengers and two crew members, crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean at about 11:22 a.m.
Operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, the helicopter was hired by NNPC Limited to ferry some contract staff to the NNPC facility FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, said three bodies had been recovered while search operations were ongoing.
In a statement on Friday, President Bola Tinubu urged military officers involved in various operations in the zone to join the rescue mission and provide all necessary support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant agencies.
The President condoled with the Board and staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the families of all those who were confirmed to have passed away in the accident.
He prayed the Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the three departed souls and comfort their families.
