An Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registered as 5N-MJF, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt International Airport on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, was forced to divert to Benin Airport due to a fault in one of its engines.
In a statement, the airline’s Public Relations & Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, explained that “the loud bang heard on the left engine by the crew of the flight W3 740, led to the diversion of the aircraft to Benin airport.”
Ola further noted that the incident occurred while the aircraft was descending toward Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
“As a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin,” he added.
He reassured that all 80 passengers on board were unharmed. “There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked,” Ola stated.
The statement continued “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.”
