Arik Air Flight Diverted to Benin City Due to Faulty Engine; Passengers Safe

Arik Air's flight W3 740, en route to Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, was forced to divert to Benin City as a precautionary measure after the flight crew heard a loud bang from the left engine. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft with registration 5N-MJF landed safely at Benin Airport without further incident.

Arik Air confirmed that all 80 passengers and crew onboard disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported. The airline's spokesperson, Adebanji Ola, issued an apology for the disruption caused by the diversion and reassured passengers that safety remains a top priority.

Arik Air stated that the affected passengers were being transported to their final destination in Port Harcourt. The aircraft is expected to undergo technical checks before resuming operations.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) will investigate the incident.