The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that it noticed significant damage after an Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL aircraft, registration 5N-MJF, operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos (LOS) to Port Harcourt (PHC) on Wednesday morning experienced an in-flight engine anomaly and diverted safely to Benin Airport (BNI).

In a statement by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, she disclosed that during the cruise phase of flight, the crew detected abnormal indications on one of the engines.

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Oladeji said in accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin.

“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported.
Preliminary observations at the diversion airport indicate significant damage to the affected engine based on initial visual assessment.

“In line with its statutory mandate and in accordance with international standards under ICAO Annex 13 and applicable Nigerian civil aviation regulations, the NSIB has commenced an investigation into the occurrence,” she said.

She disclosed that a preliminary assessment team is en route to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover flight data and cockpit voice recorder information.

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“The NSIB is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other relevant stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.

“A Preliminary Report will be issued within 30 days in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 provisions. A Final Report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation,” she added.

Oladeji assured that the safety of passengers, crew, and the public remains our highest priority.

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“The NSIB encourages any member of the public with relevant information regarding this occurrence to contact the Bureau through its official channels.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” she said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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