The identities of six employees from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday have been confirmed. According to an electronic manifest obtained by Saturday PUNCH, the deceased workers are Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. The pilot of the helicopter, which was operated by East Winds Aviation, has been identified as Captain Yakubu Dukas. An eighth person was aboard the flight but remains unidentified as of the latest reports.
The helicopter was en route to the FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN facility when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Bonny Finima in Port Harcourt. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and the oil sector, prompting a response from President Bola Tinubu, who expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He has also ordered an intensification of search and rescue operations in the aftermath of the crash.
As of now, five of the deceased have been recovered, while the search continues for the remaining three occupants. The incident highlights the risks faced by workers in the oil and gas industry, particularly those traveling to offshore facilities. The NNPCL and other stakeholders are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
