SECURITY ALERT WITH JIDE

Nigerian Airforce confirms rocket launch in Port-Harcourt

The authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NFA) in Port Harcourt have confirmed that a rocket, which fell from its helicopter on patrol, destroyed a building in Woji area of the city.

The Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Base Port Harcourt, Air Vice-Marshall Abba Zannah, gave the confirmation, when he was addressing journalists in Port Harcourt.
“This morning, a rocket flew out of the Nigerian Air Force helicopter and destroyed a building at No 98 Woji Street, in Woji Town, Port Harcourt” he said.
The helicopter was said to be on routine patrol of the Niger Delta creeks, and the Commander did not disclose if it had completed its mission or not when the rocket fell off.
He said that the incident occurred about 6.30 a.m. on Friday, and that no life was lost.
Zannah said it was a technical error and that it was unusual in the system, pointing out that no life was lost in the incident.
“It is not a normal thing in the Air Force system and the outcome of the investigation will allow us take certain measures” he said.
A source on ground confirmed that the damaged building was yet to be occupied and that a Toyota Camry parked near the building was also damaged.
The commander urged residents not to raise fears over the incident as he appealed to them to go about their businesses.
He explained that the cause of the incident was being investigated.
The area has been cordoned off by security operatives to search for unexploded shrapnel in the damaged building.
People at the scene of the incident said that the sound of the exploding rocket caused great panic as people thought it was a bomb explosion.