The Traffic

"Crashed Helicopter Tragedy: NAMA Turns to Neighboring Countries for Help as Families Mourn Victims"

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu 

In the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) employees and crew members, efforts to recover the remaining victims have intensified. The crash, which occurred off the coast of Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt, involved an East Winds Aviation helicopter transporting contract staff to the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN facility.

The flight's electronic manifest revealed the identities of the six workers: Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. The pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was identified as a seasoned aviator with over two decades of experience. The name of the eighth person onboard remains undisclosed.

President Bola Tinubu, expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims, ordered an intensified search and rescue operation to locate the missing bodies. So far, five bodies have been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, but the remaining three occupants, including the aircraft's wreckage, are still unaccounted for.

A Nation in Mourning

Across social media platforms, tributes poured in for the victims. Captain Yakubu Dukas was remembered fondly by friends and colleagues, with many expressing shock and grief at his untimely death. The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers described him as a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Dr. Tamunoemi Suku, a medical professional and graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, was also mourned. Suku, known for his principled nature, left behind his wife, Laura Emi-Suku, and friends who spoke of him as a "gentle soul" taken too soon. Likewise, the other victims, including Lawrence Alu, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo, were remembered by loved ones and colleagues for their contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

NAMA Turns to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea for Assistance

The Nigeria Air Management Agency (NAMA), in its ongoing search for the missing victims, has enlisted the help of neighboring countries, including Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The agency has activated all Flight Information Regions (FIRs), which encompass large airspace areas where flight services and alerts are provided, to assist in the search efforts.

NAMA Managing Director Umar Farouq confirmed the collaboration, noting that all relevant agencies and international stakeholders had been contacted to expedite recovery efforts. “Through concerted efforts, we are on top of the matter, with other agencies the search operation is on, and Insha Allah we shall be successful,” Farouq said.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo further noted that divers were working around the clock to locate the missing bodies and the wreckage. He assured the public that a more comprehensive statement would be released once significant progress was made in the recovery mission.

An Industry in Shock

The oil and gas industry, particularly unions such as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), expressed profound sadness over the loss of frontline workers. NUPENG identified two of the deceased as union members, including Borris Ndorbo, the dependable branch chairman, and Lawrence Alu.

In their joint statement, NUPENG’s leadership conveyed deep sorrow, describing the crash as a significant blow to the industry and urging for a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. PENGASSAN also mourned the loss of four of its members, highlighting the victims' vital contributions to the sector.

Questions Remain as Investigation Begins

While the crash has triggered immense grief, it has also raised questions about aviation safety and operational protocols in Nigeria. Authorities are expected to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future tragedies. The oil and gas sector, heavily reliant on air transport to reach offshore locations, will closely watch these developments.

As the nation waits for answers, the families of the victims are left to grapple with unimaginable loss, while the search for the missing continues.