Lagos-Port Harcourt Arik Air Flight Diverts To Benin After Engine Incident, 80 Passengers Protected

An Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt was pressured to divert to Benin on Wednesday after the crew reported listening to a loud bang from one of many plane’s engines throughout descent.

The airline stated its Boeing 737-700 plane, with registration 5N-MJF, working flight W3 740 on February 11, 2026, made a precautionary diversion to Benin Airport following the incident.

In a press release, Arik Air defined that the plane was descending into Port Harcourt Worldwide Airport, Omagwa, when the working crew heard “a loud bang on the left engine.”

The airline stated the crew acted in step with security procedures.

“As a precautionary measure, the crew needed to make a secure diversion to Benin,” the assertion stated.

Arik Air confirmed that there have been no accidents to both passengers or crew members, noting that each one 80 passengers on board had been safely disembarked after the plane landed in Benin.

“There have been no accidents to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board had been safely disembarked. Preparations have been made to move the affected passengers to their remaining vacation spot,” the airline said.

The service apologised for the disruption prompted to passengers travelling to Port Harcourt.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The protection and wellbeing of passengers is all the time our precedence at Arik Air,” the assertion added.

Boluwatife Enome 

Times Nigeria