Passengers escape mishap as Arik plane suffers attack

Passengers travelling from Lagos to Port Harcourt Wednesday escaped a mishap after the plane suffered an attack mid air.

Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt today, February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine, the airline reports.

The aircraft was on its decent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion 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.

“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”, the airline promised in its statement.