By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Police (NPF), on Thursday, denied the trending report that one of its helicopters crashed in Bauchi on Tuesday.

It, however, admitted that the helicopter suffered minor damage on the rear rotor as a result of an obstacle at the landing spot.

Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba in a statement in Abuja, also disclosed that none of the occupants sustained any injury whatsoever.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Police Helicopter, Bell 429 5NMDA, flying from Abuja to Bauchi on Tuesday, February 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) onboard including the pilot and co-pilot are in good condition”.

CP Mba said 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 obstacles at the landing spot.

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He noted that the incident occurred around 7:30 PM (local time).

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, 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 1972.