Passengers escape unhurt as NSIB launches investigation into Arik Air Lagos–Port Harcourt flight diverted to Benin following mid-air engine anomaly.
An Arik Air Boeing 737‑700 aircraft operating Flight W3 740 from Lagos (Murtala Muhammed International Airport) to Port Harcourt International Airport was forced to make an emergency landing at Benin Airport on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after the flight crew detected an engine anomaly while descending toward Port Harcourt.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the crew observed abnormal indications on one of the engines mid‑flight, and as a safety precaution conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport in Benin.
The flight, registered 5N‑MJF, landed safely without incident, and all 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked normally, with no injuries reported.
Arik Air’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, confirmed the diversion was prompted by a loud bang from the left engine, and the airline apologised for the disruption while assuring that passenger safety remains the top priority.
The NSIB has launched a full investigation into the occurrence under international standards set by ICAO Annex 13, with a team deployed to Benin to secure the aircraft, document evidence, interview crew and witnesses, and retrieve flight data and cockpit voice recorder information. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the incident.
