Military aircraft crashes in Abuja killing all passengers

A plane belonging to the Nigerian Military crashed in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria early Sunday morning and eye witness report indicates all aboard died.

The plane was said to be enroute Minna, Niger State when it crashed.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika in a Tweet announced that military aircraft King Air 350 has crashed in Abuja.

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.

An eyewitness disclosed that the flight would have crashed into a residential area but the pilot maneuvered the aircraft into a nearby bush.

Report say the pilot of the Air Force Intelligence Reconnaissance Aircraft had complained of engine failure barely moments after takeoff.

A source at the control tower revealed this to The Punch on the strict condition of anonymity.

The official said there been regular flights from Abuja to Minna since the abduction of the Kangara students last week.

The source said, 

The aircraft was on its way to Minna. Moments after, on getting to Bassa Local Government Area, he informed the control tower that he had experienced an engine failure. He was advised to return to the Abuja airport immediately but it crash-landed.

When asked if the identities of those on board had been ascertained, the official said they were in the process of doing so.

There have been frequent flights to Niger State since the abduction of the schoolkids. Last week some ministers also flew. Soon, we will know their identities, he said.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, also confirmed this in a tweet.