NNPCL: We Hired Helicopter that Crashed With 8 Persons On Board

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Thursday disclosed that it hired a helicopter which was reported to have crashed earlier today with with eight persons on board.

The national oil company in a brief statement signed by its spokesman, Olufemi Soneye , said the helicopter was enroute one of its oil facilities in the Niger Delta after taking off from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was still not clear at the time of filing this report the identities of the eight persons on board at the time of the accident.

“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, which have since issued a press statement,” the NNPC said.

It added that a search and rescue mission was currently ongoing, stressing that so far, three bodies had been recovered.

“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time.

“We will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the NNPC stated.