NAMA Enlists Cameroon, Others in Search for Missing Bodies After Helicopter Crash; Victims Unveiled

The identities of six employees from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday have been confirmed. The incident, which occurred off the coast of Bonny Finima in Port Harcourt, involved a helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation transporting contract staff to the FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN facility.

The victims have been identified as Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo. The pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was also among those aboard, while one additional passenger remains unidentified.

In response to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and ordered an urgent intensification of search and rescue efforts. So far, five bodies have been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, with the search continuing for the remaining three occupants.

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Captain Dukas, a seasoned pilot with over 20 years of experience and a former vice president of the union. Tributes have poured in from friends and family, highlighting the profound impact of his passing.

Among the deceased, Tamunoemi Suku, a medical doctor and graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, was remembered for his gentle nature and dedication to his profession. Lawrence Alu, known as “Fly Guy,” hailed from Abbi, Rivers State, and studied at the Regional Maritime Academy in Ghana. Frank Oriamre, originally from Edo State, and Borris Ndorbo, a recent graduate from Rivers State University, also lost their lives in the accident.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) mourned the loss of their members, including Ndorbo and Alu, emphasizing the significant impact of this tragedy on the oil and gas sector. Similarly, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) expressed grief over the loss of its members and called for a thorough investigation into the crash.

In a coordinated effort, the Nigeria Air Management Agency (NAMA) has enlisted the assistance of neighboring countries, including Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, to aid in the search for the missing bodies. As of now, search operations continue, involving military personnel, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and emergency locators, with no success in locating the wreckage or additional victims.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the ongoing efforts, noting that divers are actively working to locate the remaining bodies and the helicopter’s wreckage. He assured the public that a comprehensive statement will be released once further progress is made.