An helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force has crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

It was learnt that the helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7.45 am on Friday shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.

The cause of the crash was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the crash, said all those onboard survived with “minor injuries”.

Gabkwet, an Air Commodore, explained that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is on his way to the scene to assess the situation.

“The Chief of Air Staff is currently en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives.

“An incident of this nature is yet again a grim reminder of the dangers associated with military flying and the risks NAF pilots and technicians experience in their onerous tasks of defending our nation and deterring criminal elements from their nefarious activities,” Gabkwet said.