President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), its board, and the families of those affected by the tragic helicopter crash near Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt. In a statement on Friday, released by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the grieving families and confirmed his commitment to support ongoing recovery efforts.
The helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, was transporting NNPC contract staff to the FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN facility when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. President Tinubu has called for an “intensification of search and rescue operations” and urged military officers and relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, to aid in the recovery and investigation process.
Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the crash, noting that a coordinated search party involving police marine units and other agencies had been mobilized. Additionally, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident and expressed his condolences through a statement by the ministry's Head of Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi.
In his message to the bereaved families, President Tinubu said, “I fervently pray that the Almighty God will grant eternal rest to the three departed souls and comfort their families,” sharing in the national sorrow following the tragic accident.
