5N Pilot
26th Feb 2009, 05:29
THISDAY ONLINE / Nigeria news / African views on global news (http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=136702)
Gunmen in the restive Niger Delta appear to have changed their tactics as they shot at an Aero Contractor operated helicopter working for the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) yesterday
The attack occured at the Tebidaba flow station in Southern Ijaw Council area of Bayelsa State.
THISDAY gathered that the chopper was on a routine operation service between the Tebidaba and Ogboinbiri flow stations when shots were fired at it.
The aircraft had 11 passengers comprising Agip engineers and contractor staff as well as two crew members on board.
One passenger was wounded during the attack but the helicopter was said to have returned to its base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The management of Aero Contractors confirmed the attack.
According to a press statement made available to THISDAY last night, Aero’s Head of Commercial, Mark Snoxel, said: “Today, 25th February, an Aero Contractors Sikorsky 76 helicopter operating a contract service, was damaged by gun fire whilst on a routine flight in the Tebidaba area in the Niger Delta.
“As a result, one passenger was wounded, but the aircraft safely returned to its base in Port Harcourt; the injured party is now receiving hospital treatment and the helicopter is undergoing appropriate checks from Aero’s maintenance team.”
Gunmen in the restive Niger Delta appear to have changed their tactics as they shot at an Aero Contractor operated helicopter working for the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) yesterday
The attack occured at the Tebidaba flow station in Southern Ijaw Council area of Bayelsa State.
THISDAY gathered that the chopper was on a routine operation service between the Tebidaba and Ogboinbiri flow stations when shots were fired at it.
The aircraft had 11 passengers comprising Agip engineers and contractor staff as well as two crew members on board.
One passenger was wounded during the attack but the helicopter was said to have returned to its base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The management of Aero Contractors confirmed the attack.
According to a press statement made available to THISDAY last night, Aero’s Head of Commercial, Mark Snoxel, said: “Today, 25th February, an Aero Contractors Sikorsky 76 helicopter operating a contract service, was damaged by gun fire whilst on a routine flight in the Tebidaba area in the Niger Delta.
“As a result, one passenger was wounded, but the aircraft safely returned to its base in Port Harcourt; the injured party is now receiving hospital treatment and the helicopter is undergoing appropriate checks from Aero’s maintenance team.”