The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has continued its coordinated recovery and investigation efforts following the October 24, 2024 ditching of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation. The helicopter, carrying eight individuals, went down in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima.
Today’s recovery efforts began at 7:00 AM, with survey operations and divers initiating an underwater search and recovery mission. At 4:20 PM, a helicopter was dispatched to transport the fourth recovered body to a designated facility. By 5:30 PM, operations were paused due to reduced visibility, with plans to resume at dawn tomorrow.
The NSIB team, joined by a joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team, will continue a comprehensive search of the area to locate additional individuals and evidence.
NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to a thorough and respectful recovery process, despite challenging conditions.
She emphasized that NSIB remains focused on collecting crucial evidence to determine the cause of the incident.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed his support for the operation, stating, “Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this tragic event. We are working tirelessly with our partners to complete the recovery and gather the information needed to understand what happened. We deeply appreciate the resilience of our national and international partners as we face these challenges together.”
The NSIB is committed to transparency throughout the investigation process and to enhancing transportation safety across Nigeria.
