By Hamilton Nwosa (The New Diplomat’s Head, Polls & Data Tracking Desk)
All passengers onboard were feared dead as a Nigerian Military aircraft, King Air 350, on Sunday, crashed near the runway of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this in a tweet.
He said, “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 if any.”
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 if any.🇳🇬🤲🏽😩
— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) February 21, 2021
Also, one eyewitness, Imoleayo Michael Crown confirmed the incident via his Twitter handle on Sunday.
He tweeted: “A chartered flight just crashed at the Abuja Airport now. Everything burnt gosh Loudly crying face
“Not a single survivor!
“The pilot is a hero! This aircraft should have crashed into the residential area but we watched him maneuver into a free bush to crash. Loudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying face.”
The plane belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF201), a B350 aircraft reportedly departed Abuja at 1033UTC with 6 persons on board including two crew.
More details soon…
