The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a full investigation into an engine failure incident involving an Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft, which was forced to make an emergency landing at Benin Airport on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Multiple trusted media organisations, including Voice of Nigeria, Tribune Online, LEADERSHIP, Punch Newspapers, THISDAYLIVE, Daily Trust, and The ICIR, have corroborated details of the incident following official statements from both the NSIB and the airline.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-7GL variant with registration number 5N-MJF, operating as Flight W3 740. The flight was a scheduled domestic service from Murtala Muhammed Airport (LOS), Lagos, to Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC), Omagwa, with 80 persons on board – comprising passengers and crew.
According to a statement by Arik Air’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanjo Ola, the aircraft was on descent into Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang from the left engine. The crew had earlier detected abnormal indications on one of the engines during the cruise phase of flight.
Arik Air stated: “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”.
A replacement aircraft was swiftly dispatched to convey the stranded travellers to Port Harcourt without further disruption.
In its official statement, Arik Air apologised to affected passengers, stating: “We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of our passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”.
In accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and immediately diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin Airport.
Aviation industry publication Civil Aviation Resource Network and Taiwan’s Mirror Media – both citing witnesses and social media imagery – reported that the incident involved a “non-contained engine failure” with photographic evidence showing severe damage to the left engine cowling. The NSIB has since confirmed that “significant damage” was visually observed on the affected engine during preliminary inspections at the diversion airport.
All authoritative sources confirm that the aircraft landed without incident at Benin Airport, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced a formal investigation in accordance with its statutory mandate and international standards under ICAO Annexe 13, as well as applicable Nigerian civil aviation regulations.
The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, confirmed in a press statement that a preliminary assessment team has been dispatched to Benin Airport with the following terms of reference to secure the aircraft and preserve evidence, document physical evidence at the scene, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and recover the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) for analysis.
The NSIB stated that it is working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other relevant stakeholders to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.
The Bureau has pledged to issue a Preliminary Report within 30 days in accordance with ICAO Annexe 13 provisions, while a Final Report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
The NSIB has encouraged any member of the public with relevant information regarding this occurrence to contact the Bureau through its official channels.
