KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - A Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff in the southern oil hub of Port Harcourt on Friday but all five crew members survived with only minor injuries, a spokesperson said.
The incident occurred at about 0645 GMT shortly after the MI-35P helicopter took off for an operation in the oil-rich Rivers State, a region rife with rampant oil theft, Air Force spokesperson Edward Gabkwet said in a statement.
The crew members are being treated at an Air Force medical centre in Port Harcourt, he said.
(Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Gareth Jones)
