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Borno deputy Governor, 100 others escape death as Max Air plane engine catches fire after takeoff from Maiduguri
Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, and over 100 other passengers narrowly escaped a tragic incident when a Max Air aircraft experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Maiduguri International Airport.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday when the aircraft, en route Abuja, suffered engine failure caused by a bird strike about 10 minutes into the flight. The pilot and crew managed to execute an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, averting disaster.
A Max Air staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Thursday morning.
The staff member said, “Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird mid-air, which caused one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers.”
Following the emergency landing, passengers were reportedly in a state of panic, with many opting to collect their luggage and return home rather than board another flight.
However, Max Air management promptly arranged another aircraft from Kano to transport passengers, including the deputy governor, safely to Abuja.
Apart from the deputy governor, there were other government dignitaries on the flight including a commissioner, special advisers, and senior special assistants, among other aides.
The ill-fated aircraft remained grounded at Maiduguri International Airport, undergoing extensive repairs. Investigations into the incident have since commenced.
The airport authorities have reassured passengers of their commitment to safety and thanked the crew for their professionalism in managing the situation.
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra Command says it has deployed 1,531 to beef up security ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state on Thursday.
Tinubu is expected in the state on a one day working visit to inaugurate projects executed by the Anambra Government.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr Olatunde Maku, made the disclosure in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Edwin Okadigbo, in Awka on Wednesday.
Maku explained that the deployed personnel would provide security and surveillance around critical national, state and local government assets.
He also revealed that the personnel would be drawn from Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Delta to reinforce security operations in the state.
The commandant noted that the command in collaboration with other sister security agencies had intensified covert surveillance, increased joint operations and confidence building patrols within the state.
“The command has made robust security arrangements with sister security agencies to ensure a successful state visit of Mr President.
“Our personnel will be positioned in strategic locations including the airport, bridges, government buildings, parks, markets, electricity substations and telecommunication facilities.
“They will also be at the solution fun city facilities and other sensitive locations across the state before, during and after the visit,” he said.
Maku reiterated that the personnel would serve as a human shield to prevent the crowd from obstructing the free movement of the President’s entourage along designated routes.
He added that they were also expected to assist with access control at specific locations.
He advised operatives to exhibit high sense of responsibility, professionalism, civility and coordination especially in synergy with sister security agencies.
He also advised members of the public to be law -abiding as they troop out en-masse to welcome the President.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that projects expected to be inaugurated by the President include the Solution FunCity, Anambra Country Club, New Government House, New Government Lodge, New Presidential Lodge and the Emeka Anyaoku Centre, Unizik, Awka. (NAN)
By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command haa successfully arrested a notorious gun runner along Sokoto-Gusau highway and recovered illegal arms and ammunition in his possession.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, ASP Ahmed Rufai said there officers
attached to Tureta Police Station acted on credible intelligence while conducting “a stop-and-search operation”.
“‘The operation led to the interception and arrest of Murtala Abubakar, a 45-year-old suspect from Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State””.
Continuing, ASP Rufai mentioned items recovered from the suspect to include,
“”Four (4) locally fabricated rifles, Three (3) locally fabricated pistols, Sixteen (16) rounds of AK-47 ammunition and Three (3) rounds of G3 ammunition'””.
While noting that the command remained committed to curbing crime and criminality, ASP Rufai reassured that their intensified efforts towards mobbing up proliferation of illegal arms and fighting crime of all nature is paying off.
The Police Spokesperson, Rufai who further noted that, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Sokoto, for further discreet investigation, quoted the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa as saying, “”This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety. We urge citizens to continue providing timely intelligence to aid our efforts in dismantling criminal networks.”
“”The Sokoto State Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring security across all communities and calls for sustained collaboration with residents to achieve lasting peace””. CP Musa appealed.
News
Investigative Report Attributes Crash of Wigwe’s Helicopter to Pilot Error and Company Negligence
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its conclusive report regarding the helicopter crash that resulted in the tragic deaths of Herbert Wigwe, the former group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, along with his family and others.
The report indicates that the crash, which occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, claimed the lives of all six individuals aboard, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their eldest son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group). The incident has been attributed to a mix of pilot disorientation and negligence on the part of the helicopter company.
The NTSB identified the pilot’s choice to continue flying under visual flight rules (VFR) despite facing instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) as the main cause of the accident. This decision resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation, ultimately leading to a loss of control and a crash into the terrain.
The report underscores that the pilot’s struggle to navigate effectively in such conditions significantly contributed to the catastrophe. Furthermore, it highlighted critical shortcomings in the company’s oversight and safety management practices, revealing that the helicopter company failed to ensure compliance with essential safety protocols. This included the proper completion and updating of flight risk assessments and thorough documentation of maintenance issues.
Additional findings from the report indicate that during the flight, the pilot had communicated with the company’s Director of Maintenance (DOM) regarding a malfunctioning radar altimeter, which remained inoperative despite efforts to repair it.
The NTSB also noted that upon arriving at the airport to collect passengers, the pilot and a company flight follower engaged in a phone conversation but neglected to address the radar altimeter’s status or current weather conditions, both critical factors for flight safety.
The report states, “The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight into IMC, which led to spatial disorientation and the loss of control of the aircraft. Contributing factors include the company’s inadequate safety management oversight, failure to ensure proper documentation, and the malfunctioning radar altimeter.”
It further elaborates that during the return flight, the pilot texted the DOM about the radar altimeter issue. After reaching the company’s flight operations base, the pilot discussed the matter with the company flight follower, who also served as the company’s president. A mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the radar altimeter but was unable to resolve the issue, leaving it non-functional.
The mechanic confirmed that both the pilot and the DOM were aware of the radar altimeter’s condition yet proceeded with the flight at 6:22 PM to pick up the passengers. Approximately 40 minutes later, upon landing at the airport for passenger pickup, the pilot and flight follower had further discussions via phone and text but again did not address the radar altimeter’s status or weather conditions.