A Nigerian Air Force helicopter this morning crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the development in a statement, said all those onboard survived, though they sustained “minor injuries”.

The helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7.45 am shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.

The spate of NAF helicopters crashing – leaving casualties – has been a source of worry to aviation and safety experts in the last two years, with stakeholders calling on the military to uphold standard operating procedures and routine maintenance of its fleet.