A Nigeria Air Force helicopter crashed and exploded at the NAF Base in Port Harcourt on Friday

The incident happened around 7:50 a.m., but what led to the crash could not be immediately ascertained.

A source who spoke with Punch said: “I was inside my apartment when I heard this thunderous sound at the NAF Base.

“The next thing I saw was a thick flame. I don’t know if there are casualties because I can’t go close to the scene for now. But I heard a blast twice”.

Minor Injuries

Also, the development has been confirmed by the spokesman of NAF, Edward Gabkwet.

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In a statement, he said all those onboard survived, though they sustained “minor injuries”.

The statement read: “Fortunately, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt.

The Reminder

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.

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“Incidents of this nature is yet again a grim reminder of the dangers associated with military flying and the risks NAF pilots and technicians experience in their onerous tasks of defending our nation and deterring criminal elements from their nefarious activities.”

The incident happed few days after NAF said it destroyed illegal refineries in Rivers State through air strikes.