By Emeka Okafor
No fewer than seven persons have been reported feared killed after a military plane crash landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday morning.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:30am on Sunday enroute Minna, Niger State, where bandits had kidnapped schoolchildren and staff at Kagara area of the state.
The aircraft, a NAF201 B350, was said to have developed engine problem just before take off on the runway leading to the crash that killed seven of the occupants.
It was gathered that the seven victims comprised three crew members and four passengers.
The plane was said to have gutted fire immediate it crash landed at the final approach path of the airport.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway 22 around 10:48am and immediately gutted fire.
‘’It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any”, a source who witnessed the incident said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, confirmed the incident, saying that the Federal Government has commenced investigation into the unfortunate incident.
Sirika, who called for calm, noted that the incident was fatal.
According to a tweet by the Minister, “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls.”
At the time of this report, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was yet to respond to the incident.
Details Later…
