There was tension in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday as a helicopter owned by the Nigerian Air Force crashed.
The development was confirmed on Friday by the spokesperson of NAF, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement made available to the press.
According to the NAF image maker, the helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7:45 a.m. shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
He further stated that everyone onboard survived and sustained “minor injuries”.
Gabkwet added that they are being attended to at NAF Medical Centre, Port Harcourt.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route Port Harcourt to access the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives,” the statement partly read.
Meanwhile, about 50 bandits have been killed in a joint operation by Army, Police and vigilante operatives in Taraba State.
The bandits were terrorizing communities in Bali local government council of the state.
The operation unfolded in Tonti village, situated in Maihula District of the council, according to Taraba State Police Command’s spokesperson, Usman Abdullahi.
The police spokesperson, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the Command will not relent until all hoodlums are chased out of the state.
He said the Command received intelligence regarding an invasion by a significant number of unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, during the early hours of November 28, 2023.
The assailants, numbering over a hundred, targeted Tonti village during Muslim morning prayers, causing widespread panic.
“Responding swiftly, the Commissioner ordered the deployment of a Tactical team from Bali Division, collaborating with the Army, Vigilante, and hunters. The joint team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle upon reaching the village.
“During the intense exchange of gunfire, security operatives showcased exceptional firepower, resulting in the neutralization of over 50 bandits. Some of the assailants managed to escape with injuries,” the spokesperson said.
The police spokesperson added that several hideouts of the bandits were dismantled during the operation.