Police helicopter not crashed, but controlled safe landing in Bauchi – IG

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has clarified that the Nigeria Police Helicopter, Bell 429 5NMDA, flying from Abuja to Bauchi on Tuesday, February 26, 2022, did not crash as reported but was involved in a controlled safe landing at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi. According to the IG, “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 on board, including the pilot and co-pilot are in good condition.”

The police also stated that 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, 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 13 helicopters – has got a strong history of air safety since its establishment in the year 1972.