President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Board, its staff, and the families affected by the recent helicopter crash off the coast of Bonny Finima in Port-Harcourt.

In a Friday statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the families of those lost, affirming his solidarity with the grieving parties.

This was contained in a statement titled, “President Tinubu Commiserates with the NNPC Board and Families of Victims Onboard the Helicopter in Port-Harcourt.”

Tinubu directed an “intensification of search and rescue operations” to locate any remaining passengers or evidence following the tragic incident involving the East Winds Aviation helicopter, registered as 5NBQG.

The helicopter, hired by NNPC Limited, was “ferrying contract staff” to the FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN facility when it crashed into the Atlantic on Thursday.

To ensure comprehensive support, Tinubu has “urged military officers involved in various operations in the zone to join the rescue mission,” ensuring collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies crucial to recovery and investigation efforts.

According to the statement, his directive underscores the government’s dedication to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the accident and providing closure to those affected.

In his message to the bereaved, Tinubu conveyed, “I fervently pray that the Almighty God will grant eternal rest to the three departed souls and comfort their families,” reflecting the mood in the wake of the incident.

Search party
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed a helicopter crash in the Bonny axis of Rivers State, saying the two crew members and six occupants were on board on Thursday.

This is as the police said, its marine division, cooperating with other agencies, has begun a search party to recover the aircraft and the occupants.

A spokesperson for the state’s Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday night and sent to newsmen.

In another report, the military, the National Emergency Management Agency and emergency locators immediately began search operations for the passengers of the helicopter.

The aircraft, conveying workers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, ditched into the ocean and no one was yet to have come out alive from the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, similarly confirmed the unfortunate incident to our correspondent through a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi.

PUNCH