An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt service was forced to make an emergency landing at Benin Airport on Wednesday after crew members detected an engine anomaly following a loud bang during descent.
The aircraft, operating Flight W3 740, was en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt when the incident occurred, prompting the flight crew to divert as a precautionary measure. Aviation authorities later confirmed that the aircraft’s left engine sustained significant damage, although the plane landed safely without further complications.
All 80 passengers and crew were evacuated calmly after landing, with no injuries recorded. Emergency response teams were on standby as the aircraft touched down, but no additional intervention was required.
In a statement, Arik Air apologised to passengers for the disruption caused by the diversion and confirmed that alternative travel arrangements to Port Harcourt had been provided. The airline reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a full investigation into the incident. A team has been deployed to secure the aircraft, collect physical evidence and analyse flight data and cockpit voice recordings.
The NSIB said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
