** All 80 passengers on board were safely evacuated
** Passengers put in alternative transportation to Port Harcourt
** The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, begins an investigation
Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 aircraft, registration mark 5N MJF, flight number W3 740, which took off from Lagos and headed for Port Harcourt today, 11th of February 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.
According to a statement by Arik Air, the incident compelled a precautionary measure, which led the crew to make a safe diversion to Benin.
The statement said the aircraft landed smoothly and safely, no any form of injury to both the passengers and crew, as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.
In the media statement signed by Arik Air’s Manager, Public Relations & Communications, Adebanji Ola, “Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination”.
In the statement, Arik Air conveyed its unreserved apology “to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement affirmed.
As a corollary to the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has dispatched a preliminary assessment team to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidences, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover flight data and cockpit voice recorder information.
The statement by NSIB said, “A Preliminary Report will be issued within 30 days in accordance with ICAO Annexe 13 provisions. A Final Report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation”.
The NSIB encourages any member of the public with relevant information regarding this occurrence to contact the Bureau through its official channels.
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