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.
“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.
“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.
By Abel Ejikeme