A missile from a Nigerian Air Force jet accidentally hit a building in the Woji area of Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday.
The explosion which occurred early in the morning, led to panic in the busy district.The Rivers state police commissioner, Mohammed Indabawa, confirmed the incidence saying the missile was accidentally-fired from an Airforce jet on routine maintenance at the Airforce mechanic hangar in Port Harcourt.According to the police boss, the misfired missile hit an uncompleted building three kilometers from the jet, resulting in a blast that sent residents panicking.So far, no death or injuries have been confirmed.
UPDATED: Nigerian Airforce confirms rocket launch in Port-Harcourt
UPDATED: Nigerian Airforce confirms rocket launch in Port-Harcourt
The authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NFA) in Port Harcourt have confirmed that a rocket, which fell from its helicopter on patrol on Friday, destroyed a building in Woji area of the city.
The Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Base Port Harcourt, Air Vice-Marshall Abba Zannah, gave the confirmation, when he was addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“This morning, a rocket flew out of the Nigerian Air Force helicopter and destroyed a building at No 98 Woji Street, in Woji Town, Port Harcourt” he said.
The helicopter was said to be on routine patrol of the Niger Delta creeks, and the Commander did not disclose if it had completed its mission or not when the rocket fell off.
He said that the incident occurred about 6.30 a.m. on Friday, and that no life was lost.
Zannah said it was a technical error and that it was unusual in the system, pointing out that no life was lost in the incident.
“It is not a normal thing in the Air Force system and the outcome of the investigation will allow us take certain measures” he said.
A source on ground confirmed that the damaged building was yet to be occupied and that a Toyota Camry parked near the building was also damaged.
The commander urged residents not to raise fears over the incident as he appealed to them to go about their businesses.
He explained that the cause of the incident was being investigated.
The area has been cordoned off by security operatives to search for unexploded shrapnel in the damaged building.
People at the scene of the incident said that the sound of the exploding rocket caused great panic as people thought it was a bomb explosion.
Source: Channels Tv
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Accidental discharge as moved to the air! god bless naija
ReplyDeleteso long say na Hausa man dey inside that cockpit ...believe me ..it is not an accidental discharge...he wan kill
ReplyDeletesome thing appears to be untrue with this story
ReplyDeletehappened very close to my Church, St. Nicholas Anglican church Woji. I thought Boko Haram had struck. If what they said is true, then it is a miracle that the house is unoccupied. Who will pay for d damage? With all d helicopters flying around Ph, whats d guaranty that it wont happen again & this time claim lives. God, please save us!
ReplyDelete