An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating Lagos to Port Harcourt flight on Wednesday made an emergency landing at Benin airport after the crew “heard a loud bang from the left engine”.

In a statement, Arik Air said the aircraft, operating flight W3-740 with registration 5N-MJF, was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline added that as a precautionary measure, the flight crew diverted to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked. Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination,” Arik Air said.

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

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) described it as an in-flight engine anomaly.

According to Bimbo Oladeji, director of public affairs and family assistance at NSIB, the crew detected abnormal engine indications during the flight and conducted a precautionary engine shutdown in line with established safety procedures before diverting to Benin airport.

“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported,” Oladeji said.

“Preliminary observations at the diversion airport indicate significant damage to the affected engine based on initial visual assessment.

“In line with its statutory mandate and in accordance with international standards under ICAO Annex 13 and applicable Nigerian civil aviation regulations, the NSIB has commenced an investigation into the occurrence.”

The director said an assessment team is en route to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview personnel and witnesses, and recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

She said the NSIB is working with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.

“A Preliminary Report will be issued within 30 days in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 provisions. A Final Report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement added.

Oladeji urged members of the public with relevant information to contact the bureau through official channels, adding that further updates will be provided as more details become available.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have raided a terrorist camp in a forest in Kogi state, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

In a statement shared on its official X page on Wednesday, the Nigerian Army said the raid was carried out under ‘Operation IGBO IDANU I’.

The operation, it said, dealt “a decisive strategic blow to a notorious terrorist network linked to Kachalla Ibrahim and Shu’aibu in Kogi State”.

“Advancing through dense forest, difficult terrain, and multiple riverine obstacles, the troops displayed exceptional resilience, professionalism and tactical discipline,” the statement reads. 

“Despite severe movement constraints caused by fallen trees and marshy ground, the force pressed forward with determination, highlighting the unflinching resolve of the Nigerian Army to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore lasting security in the area.”

Led by Kasim Umar Sidi, a commander, the troops reportedly penetrated the forest on foot to “achieve tactical surprise and operational dominance”.

“Although the terrorists fled on sighting the advancing troops, a thorough exploitation of the objective led to the recovery of significant quantities of arms and ammunition, including eight boxes of 7.62 x 54 link ammunition containing bandoliers of 250 rounds each and one box of high-velocity grenades. These recoveries have significantly degraded the terrorists’ operational capability and logistics base,” the statement added.

The army noted that the camp was “destroyed” and “set ablaze” to deny the “criminals any opportunity of reoccupation”.

It added that troops have continued to patrol the area to consolidate the gains and prevent the terrorists from regrouping.

“This operation sends a clear and resounding message to terrorist elements that their hideouts will continually be identified and neutralised, reaffirming the firm commitment of the Nigerian Army to safeguarding lives, protecting communities and ensuring lasting peace and security across the region,” the army added.

The operation follows the temporary closure of markets and motor parks in Kogi west senatorial district by the state government to support ongoing security operations against terrorists and other criminal elements.

Kingsley Fanwo, commissioner for information and communications, announced the directive on Sunday.

He said the move was aimed at complementing intensified clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and security chiefs in the state.

The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to suspend all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.

The government also warned the agency to immediately stop sealing factories and warehouses over the issue.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum.

Kuanum said the order followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which raised concerns over the security implications of continued enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.

“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.

He said although the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, both offices insisted that NAFDAC must refrain from all enforcement measures until the policy is fully implemented and further directives are issued.

The government said such measures include factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing and public emphasis on the sachet alcohol ban.

According to the statement, the continued sealing of warehouses and what it described as a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products, without a harmonised policy framework, was already causing economic disruptions and posing security risks, particularly due to its impact on jobs, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.

Kuanum said the position reinforced an earlier directive issued by the SGF’s office in December 2025, which suspended all actions relating to the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision.

He added that the SGF’s office had also received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025, raising concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and referencing existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue.

The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, raised concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and drew attention to existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue.

The Federal Government said it was reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications and national interest factors surrounding the matter.

The government said the involvement of the National Security Adviser showed that the issue had gone beyond regulatory concerns, warning that premature enforcement without coordinated policy implementation could destabilise communities, worsen unemployment and trigger security challenges.

It assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision would be communicated after consultations and inter-agency coordination, in the interest of public health, economic stability and national security.