The Nigeria Police Force, Thursday, debunked a viral report that one of its helicopters had crashed near Bauchi.
Debunking the report, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, also a Commissioner of Police, said the helicopter was instead involved in a controlled landing and none of the occupants sustained any injury.
Here is the full text of the police release:
POLICE HELICOPTER IN CONTROLLED SAFE-LANDING IN BAUCHI
· Not crashed as reported, none of the occupants sustained any injury whatsoever
The Nigeria Police Helicopter, Bell 429 5NMDA, flying from Abuja to Bauchi on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, was involved in a controlled safe landing at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi. The aircraft did not crash as being reported in some sections of the media and none of the occupants sustained any injury whatsoever. All six (6) on board including the pilot and co-pilot are in good condition.
Similarly, the aircraft, which was flown by one of the best Police Pilots, was professionally safe-landed with minor damage on the rear rotor as a result of obstacle at the landing spot. The incident occurred around 7:30PM (local time).
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has commended the Police Air-Wing for their professionalism in safe-landing the aircraft and averting any serious air-mishap. He further noted that the Nigeria Police Air-wing – with a fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft, a citation jet and thirteen (13) helicopters – has got a strong history of air safety since its establishment in the year 1972.
CP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
January 27, 2022
