Passengers aboard an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 experienced tense moments on Wednesday, February 11, as the aircraft was forced to make an emergency diversion to Benin Airport following an engine failure during a scheduled Lagos–Port Harcourt service. The aircraft, registered 5N-MJF and operating as flight W3 740, reportedly developed abnormal engine indications while in the cruise phase, with passengers saying they heard a loud bang from the left engine and began praying fervently.
In a statement, Arik Air’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, confirmed that the noise detected by the crew prompted a precautionary diversion. He explained that the aircraft had begun its descent into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the anomaly occurred, leading the pilots to reroute to Benin for safety reasons.
All 80 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries recorded, while arrangements were made to transport passengers to their final destination. The airline apologised for the disruption, stressing that passenger safety remains its top priority.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has since opened an investigation into the incident. According to the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, the crew detected abnormal engine readings mid-flight, shut down the affected engine in line with safety procedures and diverted to the nearest suitable airport.
Preliminary inspection at Benin Airport revealed significant damage to the affected engine, based on an initial visual assessment.
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