Arik Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Benin, All 80 Passengers Unhurt

ByEditor

Feb 11, 2026 #5N-MJF emergency, #airline safety Nigeria, #Arik Air emergency landing, #Benin Airport diversion, #Boeing 737 engine incident, #Lagos to Port Harcourt flight, #Nigeria aviation safety, #NSIB investigation

Matilda Omonaiye/

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 carrying 80 passengers and crew made an emergency landing at Benin Airport on Wednesday after the crew reported a loud bang from one of the aircraft’s engines, the airline and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed.

The flight, registered 5N-MJF and operating as W3 740 from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, was descending into Port Harcourt when the crew detected the abnormal engine noise.

Acting as a precaution, they diverted to the nearest suitable airport in Benin.

Arik Air spokesman, Adebanjo Ola said: “The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine. As a precautionary measure, the crew made a safe diversion to Benin.”

All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and no one was injured.

The airline added that arrangements had been made to transport passengers to their intended destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air,” Ola said.

The NSIB confirmed the incident, describing it as an in-flight engine anomaly that required a precautionary shutdown and diversion.

Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said: “The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported.”

Preliminary assessments at Benin indicate “significant damage” to the affected engine.

A team from the NSIB has been deployed to secure the aircraft, collect evidence, interview personnel and witnesses, and recover the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

The bureau stated that a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days, with a final report to follow upon the conclusion of the investigation.