President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office at the Presidential Villa
** President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directed the intensification of the search and recovery of
passengers and crew of the ill-fated helicopter
** One body was retrieved yesterday, Monday 28th October 2024
** Latest state-of-the-art equipment, Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV, deployed to break
barriers encountered in the ongoing search and recovery operation
** Capt Alex Badeh Jr., NSIB Director General assured Nigerians of a thorough investigation
report, and a recommendation with a “clinical” finishing
Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, the statutory agency saddled with the responsibility to unearth immediate and remote causes of air mishaps of various dimensions has deployed a Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV, to the site, in addition to the professional divers combing the depth of the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, in Rivers state.
The NSIB while Highlighting the features of the state-of-the-art equipment now deployed in the cumbersome task of recovering every material particularly crucial to its investigation said the ROV is equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to enhance visibility and precision in the deep-water environment.
The statement added that “this ROV will facilitate detailed inspection, enable targeted retrieval operations, and assist in gathering vital evidence that will support our investigation into the accident”.
Also, the bureau clarified that since the ditching last Thursday, 24th October 2024, of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration mark 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, only three souls have so far been retrieved from the accident environment.
The statement explained that on the day of the accident, three souls among the eight occupants in the helicopter were retrieved in obedience to the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It acknowledged that two other bodies were discovered in the debris at the ocean bed, but retrieval had been burdened by the wild natural phenomenon raging on the sea.
The NSIB account elucidated thus, “Divers located two additional bodies, but due to strong ocean currents and limited visibility, these bodies could not be retrieved at that time. The recovery of the remaining persons onboard remains a top priority for the combined search, rescue and recovery team”, affirmed the media statement.
The NSIB statement announced that the search and recovery crew will resume its task this morning with a renewed fervour
According to the latest update from NSIB of what transpired yesterday, Monday 28th October 2024, one additional body was retrieved before the day’s task was put on hold. That brings to four (4) the total number of casualties involved in the crash.
Recall that within a short while after the tragic accident, the President and Commander- in –Chief of the Nigerian armed forces directed through his media aide “an intensification of search and rescue for passengers of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic near Bonny Finima on Thursday in Port-Harcourt”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu further directed that “military officers be involved in various operations in the zone to join the rescue mission and provide all necessary support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and other relevant agencies”, said the media statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu condoled with the Board and staff of NNPC Ltd, and the families of those confirmed dead in the accident, and prayed that almighty God grant eternal rest to the three departed souls and comfort their families.
In the same vein, Capt Alex Badeh Jr., Director General NSIB, reiterated the Bureau’s commitment to the recovery and investigation of the crash thus: “The NSIB, alongside our partners, is fully committed to locating and recovering all individuals and critical components from this unfortunate accident.”
Badeh added that the team is working tirelessly to manage the challenging conditions with the view to coming up with a foolproof report and recommendations with enormous potency to prevent similar reoccurrence in the future.
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