Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigeria has launched a probe into a Bell 429 helicopter crash that occurred at Bauchi Airport. The helicopter, owned and operated by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), crashed Wednesday night with its six occupants severely injured. The aircraft was involved in a controlled safe landing at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, and none of the occupants sustained any injury. The AIB is seeking any video clips, evidence, or information on the accident that could assist the investigation. Meanwhile, hazy weather disrupted flight schedules at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, leading to the early airlift of passengers on Azman Air, Max Air and a few chartered flights.

Suspected thieves have broken into an Arik Air aircraft parked at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, stealing valuable gadgets. This has left the Boeing 737 aircraft grounded without its Flight Management Computer (FMC) and other accessories. Aviation stakeholders believe the break-in and removal of the FMC could only have been done by an insider with technical know-how. Arik Air filed an occurrence report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over attempted robbery of its taxing aircraft by unknown men. Former Commandant of the Lagos Airport in the '90s, Group Capt. John Ojikutu, said there are houses behind the airport perimeter fences that have exceeded standard security limits. FAAN security should conduct random checks on all those carrying On Duty Cards (ODC) to fish out unauthorised persons.