A Saudi Arabian plane blocked the runway.
The Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has explained why the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was shut down on Thursday.
In a statement by her Special Assistant of Media, Joe Obi, the minister confirmed that all flights into Abuja have been temporarily suspended till further notice.
The minister’s spokesperson said, “A Saudi Arabian B747 cargo aircraft landed in Abuja last night and veered off at the manoeuvring area of the runway, ran into a maintenance area of the runway and stopped.”
Mr. Obi said flights into Abuja airport were put on hold so as to facilitate evacuation effort on the runway. He said normal operations will resume immediately the aircraft is removed.
According to the statement, the Group Corporate Communications Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Yakubu Dati, said no casualty was recorded while plans are underway to move the aircraft away following a preliminary assessment visit by Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau AIPB, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and other relevant agencies.
The statement also said that the Saudi plane incident was not a plane crash and apologised to travellers and airport users for inconveniences caused. It added that concerted effort was being intensified to remove the obstacle and restore normalcy while the public would be updated as progress is made towards restoring normal operations at the airport.
The airport problem also hindered all planes leaving the Nigerian capital, as the affected runway is believed to be the only standard one.
Already, Arik and Aero, two of the largest domestic airline operators, have cancelled all flights from the Abuja airport on Thursday.
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...
![Minister of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN making a point during a Press Briefing on the Partial Closure for Repairs and Restoration of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos at the Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters Mabushi Abuja on Tuesday 21st July 2020 [PHOTO CREDIT: worksandhousing]](https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2020/08/1595433840.jpg?resize=120%2C86&ssl=1)
![Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila [PHOTO CREDIT: @HouseNGR]](https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/01/EsvPQX6W8AIjsCh.jpg?resize=120%2C86&ssl=1)
Discussion about this post