The Nigeria Police Force has debunked reports that its
helicopter crashed in Bauchi State.
This was contained in a statement by the NPF’s spokesperson,
Frank Mba, on Thursday, titled, ‘Police helicopter in controlled safe-landing
in Bauchi … Not crashed as reported, none of the occupants sustained any injury
whatsoever.”
However, the Accident Investigation Bureau had in a
statement on Thursday, said Bell 429 helicopter with Registration Marks 5N-MDA
owned and operated by Nigeria Police Force was involved in an accident on
Wednesday.
Though the AIB said there was no fatality, the accident
bureau claimed that “there were some injuries.”
Debunking AIB’s claim, the police said the helicopter landed
safely and commended the professionalism of the crew.
The police’s statement read, “Helicopter, Bell 429 5N-MDA,
flying from Abuja to Bauchi on Tuesday, February 26, 2022, was involved in a
controlled safe landing at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International
Airport, Bauchi.
“The aircraft did not crash as being reported in some
sections of the media and none of the occupants sustained any injury
whatsoever. All six onboard including the pilot and co-pilot are in good
condition.
“Similarly, the aircraft, which was flown by one of the best
Police Pilots, was professionally safe-landed with minor damage on the rear
rotor as a result of obstacle at the landing spot. The incident occurred around
7:30 pm (local time).
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has
commended the Police Air-Wing for their professionalism in safe-landing the
aircraft and averting any serious air-mishap.
“He further noted that the Nigeria Police Air-wing – with a
fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft, a citation jet, and 13 helicopters – has got
a strong history of air safety since its establishment in the year 1972.”
There’re some injuries but no fatality – AIB
The Accident Investigation Bureau had in a statement signed
by its spokesman, Tunji Oketunbi, on Thursday, said the incident occurred
around 07:30pm on Wednesday.
While requesting video evidence of the “accident” from
members of the public, AIB claimed, “There were some injuries but no fatality”.
The statement was titled, ‘Press Statement On Nigeria Police
Helicopter Occurrence’.
It read, “On 26th January, 2022, Accident Investigation
Bureau, Nigeria was notified by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency about an
accident involving a Bell 429 helicopter with Registration Marks 5N-MDA owned
and operated by Nigeria Police Force. The accident occurred on 26th January,
2022 around 7:30pm (Local Time) at Bauchi Airport.
“The NPF helicopter had departed Abuja at 16:54 UTC for
Bauchi with six persons onboard maintaining 5,500ft.
“There were some injuries but no fatality.
“The investigating agency, AIB-N needs and hereby solicits
for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to
receiving any video clips, evidence, or information any member of the public
may have of the accident that can assist us with this investigation.
“The Bureau will appreciate that the general public and
press respect the privacy of the people involved and not assume the cause of
the accident until a formal report is released.”
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