A private jet carrying approximately 10 individuals, including Very Important Personalities, VIPs, overshot the runway at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
An impeccable source said the incident occurred around 11 am on Friday, resulting in the jet, with registration number N580KR, veering off the runway and skidding into the nearby bush. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or fatalities.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, swiftly responded to the scene to ensure the safety of passengers and assess the situation.
Carol Adekotujo, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, confirmed the incident, reassuring the public that all passengers were safe despite the runway overshoot.
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Subsequently, Tunji Oketunmbi, a spokesman for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), affirmed that a team had been dispatched to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The rate of aviation incidents in the past few months has been concerning despite the sacking and replacement of heads of aviation agencies. In November, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, escaped death when a plane he was on board crash-landed at the same airport.
This occurrence adds to a series of aviation incidents in recent months, raising concerns about the safety protocols and infrastructure at the Ibadan Airport. In light of previous incidents and the need for enhanced safety measures, Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based lawyer, emphasized the urgency of repairing the airport’s runway.
In a statement on Facebook, Olajengbesi stressed the critical importance of ensuring the safety of air travel and called for immediate action to address the runway’s condition. Urging relevant authorities to prioritize citizen safety, he emphasized the potential risks posed by delays in addressing infrastructure deficiencies.
As investigations proceed and stakeholders deliberate on necessary safety measures, the incident underscores the imperative of maintaining robust aviation standards and infrastructure to safeguard the lives of air travelers.
Credible news.ng
