The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has issued a statement to address conflicting reports regarding the recovery efforts following Thursday’s helicopter crash in Port Harcourt.
Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed that only three bodies have been recovered, contrary to claims that two additional bodies were found on Friday.
“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,” Soneye stated.
Despite the clarification, search and rescue operations are still ongoing. “The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining individuals, in conjunction with relevant authorities, are still underway,” Soneye added.
The helicopter, with Registration Number 5NBQG, was carrying six NNPC officials and two crew members when it crashed. The electronic manifest revealed the names of the workers as Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. The pilot was identified as Captain Yakubu Dukas, while the identity of the eighth person aboard remains unconfirmed.
NNPC has assured that they will continue to support the ongoing search and rescue operation. “Once again, our hearts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfortunate incident,” Soneye said.
The incident has sparked a national search and rescue effort, with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau reporting that neither the debris nor the remaining individuals have been located.
