A military aircraft has crashed a few yards off the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.
In a tweet on Sunday, Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation confirmed the incident.
The minister tweeted: “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure en-route Minna.
“It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of an investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any.”
As at the time of filing this report, it was not clear how many persons were aboard the craft.
Authorities of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the military are yet to make statements regarding the tragic event.
Update On The Crash
“Aircraft reported engine failure at time 1039 and crashed landed on the final approach path of Abuja Runway 22 at time 1048UTC,” the statement read.
It added that “fire services are already at the scene of the accident. All 6 persons onboard reported dead.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika also confirmed the incident.
Six people have been confirmed dead after a Nigerian military aircraft King Air 350 crashed just minutes after takeoff from the Abuja airport.
A statement from the country’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIC) stated that “the Air Force NAF201 AB350 aircraft departed Abuja at 1033UTC with 6 persons on board including 2 crew.
“A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure en-route 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,” the minister said on Twitter.
