News
Helicopter Crash: Recovery Team Locates Wreckage
The Search and Recovery Team involved in the rescue operation of the victims of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has finally located the wreckage of the ill-fated helicopter.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) stated this in a release by its Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, late Thursday night.
Recall that the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, carrying eight individuals onboard, unfortunately crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, near Bonny Finima on 24 October, 2024.
NSIB, in an update on the rescue and investigation efforts, disclosed that the Search and Recovery Team located the wreckage of the ill-fated Sikorsky SK76 Helicopter during the recovery drives on Wednesday night.
The Bureau also stated that efforts were currently underway for the recovery of the helicopter’s wreckage.
NSIB announced in the release that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 Helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage.
As stated in the release, the wreckage was identified during the recovery dives, Thursday night, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon.
“It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E. Efforts are currently underway for the recovery of the helicopter’s wreckage.
“The tail boom of the helicopter has already been successfully retrieved and lifted from the water today,” it was added in the release.
Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., commended the allied team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts.
“Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.
“The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected,” he stated.
It was disclosed that further recovery efforts for the wreckage are underway, even as the Bureau assured of provision of additional updates on the sad occurrence as they become available.
NSIB also reassured of its commitment to working closely with national and international partners to carry out the recovery and investigative process in line with its mandate to enhance transportation safety in Nigeria.
News
BREAKING: Finland Police Nab Simon Ekpa, 4 Others Over Terror-related Activities
The Central Criminal Police in Finland has announced the arrest of Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa and four other individuals over terror-related activities.
According to a tabloid in Finland, Ekpa, the self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes.
The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.
The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
The statement reads, “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels”.
“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
News
SAD! Gunmen kill lawyer in Benue
A lawyer, Mike Ofikwu, has been shot dead by gunmen in Otukpo town, Benue State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday night at his residence on Otukpa Street, Otukpo.
A source close to the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the lawyer was ambushed by two armed men while waiting for his gate to be opened.
“Two armed men had laid an ambush for him. As he was waiting for his people to open the gate, the assailants emerged from hiding and shot him at a close range,” the source said.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said an investigation was underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“This incident is confirmed, and investigations are ongoing. I commiserate with his family and friends and assure them that justice will be served,” Anene said in a brief statement.
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