President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a ramped-up search and rescue effort following a tragic helicopter crash in the Atlantic near Bonny Finima in Port Harcourt on Thursday. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President called on military officers involved in regional operations to assist in the rescue mission and to provide full support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant agencies.
Expressing deep condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the bereaved families, President Tinubu offered prayers for the souls of the three victims confirmed dead in the crash. He prayed that God grants peace to the departed and comfort to their grieving loved ones.
The ill-fated helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and bearing the registration 5NBQG, was chartered by NNPC Limited to transport contract staff to the NNPC facility FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN.