Tragedy was averted Wednesday night as a Max Air passenger aircraft suffered a bird strike, and its engine caught fire shortly after take-off at the Maiduguri 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.
Lakurawa planted Zamfara bombs not bandits…police declare
The Police in Zamfara State has claimed that the recent bomb explosions that rocked some communities in the State were planted by the new terror group Lakurawa.
According to Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Dalijan, bandits have no access to explosives and do not know how couple them, but Lakurawa does.
“This Lakurawa (group) when they were dislodged by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, the rest of them that survived the military onslaught were trying to find new enclaves.
“As they were passing that village to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb under a bridge. Then a motorist was passing and step on it. It exploded and killed the driver and three other people were seriously injured,” Dalijan said during an interview on Channels TV
“They (terrorists) were seen passing through a village and as we were getting reports, trying to get ourselves prepared to pursue them, this (explosion) happened. So, we are sure that they were the ones that planted the bomb.
“The bandits here (in Zamfara) don’t use bombs because they don’t know how to make it; they don’t know how to improvise explosive devices. So, we are 100% sure that they (Lakurawa) are the ones because planting bombs in Zamfara State is a new development and bandits don’t have that capacity,” he said.
