A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35P helicopter has crashed and exploded at Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Friday morning.

The cause of crash was yet unknown, however, all the five crew members survived and have been evacuated to a military facility for treatment.

NAF spokesman, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, in a statement obtained by LEADERSHIP, said the crash occurred at about 7.45am shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.

He said: “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.”

He added that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has immediately moved to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself and “see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.”

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The NAF spokesman said the incident was 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.”