By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says search is still ongoing on the remaining five victims of the ill-fated helicopter crash that occurred last Thursday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The helicopter en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig with 6 passengers and two crew members, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
Operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, the helicopter was hired by NNPC Limited to ferry some contract staff to the NNPC facility FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN.
The flight’s electronic manifest identified the deceased NNPCL staff as Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. The pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, and a crew member were also involved.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, on Thursday, said that three bodies had been recovered.
In a statement on Sunday, NNPC chief corporate communication officer, Olufemi Soneye, said search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies, along with relevant authorities, are still ongoing.
The statement titled ‘Helicopter Crash: Search Still On-going, No Other Additional Bodies Found’, read, “The NNPC Ltd. wishes to announce that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.
“The company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities are still ongoing.
“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with the family members of this unfortunate incident.”
