NSIB Launches Probe as Arik Air Boeing 737 Makes Safe Emergency Diversion to Benin
An Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL aircraft operating a scheduled domestic service from Lagos to Port Harcourt made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport on Wednesday after the flight crew detected abnormal indications from one of its engines during cruise, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
In a statement issued in Abuja on 11 February 2026, the Bureau confirmed that the aircraft, registered 5N-MJF and operating as a routine passenger flight, carried out a precautionary engine shutdown in line with standard aviation safety procedures once the anomaly was identified. The crew subsequently diverted to Benin, the nearest suitable airport, where the aircraft landed safely without incident.
All passengers and crew disembarked normally, and officials reported that no injuries were sustained during the occurrence. Initial visual inspection conducted after landing suggested significant damage to the affected engine, although authorities emphasised that this assessment was preliminary and subject to further technical examination.
The NSIB disclosed that it has commenced a formal investigation into the incident in accordance with its statutory mandate and international obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Annex 13 protocols, as well as applicable Nigerian civil aviation regulations.
A preliminary assessment team has been dispatched to Benin to secure the aircraft, document physical evidence, interview relevant personnel and witnesses, and retrieve data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
Investigators are working in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Arik Air, and other aviation stakeholders to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors that may have led to the engine anomaly.
Under international investigation standards, the Bureau said it would release a preliminary report within 30 days, while a final report containing conclusions and safety recommendations will be issued after the investigation is completed.
Reaffirming its commitment to transport safety, the NSIB stated that the protection of passengers, crew, and the public remains its highest priority.
The agency also called on members of the public who may possess relevant information about the occurrence to contact it through official communication channels.
The NSIB is Nigeria’s multimodal accident investigation authority, tasked with conducting objective and comprehensive inquiries into transport incidents and accidents with the aim of determining probable causes and promoting safety improvements across the sector.
