An Arik Air Boeing 737-7GL aircraft, registered as 5N-MJF, was forced to divert to Benin Airport on Tuesday after experiencing an engine problem while en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt.

According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the crew noticed unusual engine readings during the cruise phase of the flight. Following standard safety protocols, the pilots shut down the affected engine as a precaution and redirected the aircraft to the nearest appropriate airport.

The plane landed safely in Benin, and all passengers and crew members disembarked without incident. No injuries were reported.

Initial visual checks at the airport revealed considerable damage to the affected engine. The NSIB has since launched an investigation into the incident.

A preliminary team is on its way to Benin to secure the aircraft, gather evidence, interview crew members and other relevant witnesses, and retrieve data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

The Bureau said it is collaborating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Arik Air, and other stakeholders to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors.

In a statement, NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, said a preliminary report would be released within 30 days in line with ICAO Annex 13, while a final report will be issued at the end of the investigation.

She reaffirmed that passenger, crew, and public safety remain the Bureau’s top priority and urged anyone with relevant information to reach out through official channels. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.