Tragedy Averted as Aircraft Skids Off Abuja Runway, FAAN Shuts Down Airport

Tragedy was averted on Wednesday, December 11, when an aircraft skidded off the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Politics Nigeria gathered that an Allied Air Flight reportedly experienced a tyre burst after landing at the airport.

The aircraft, due to the incident, stuck near the runway after it had skidded off it leading to a shutdown of the airport pending when the plane is towed.

A source at the airport said efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the aircraft is towed as soon as possible.

According to the source, the airport would be reopened immediately the aircraft is successfully towed away from the runway.

Having caused disruption of airline operations, with several delayed departures, no injuries or casualties were recorded with passengers onboard the aircraft.

Confirming the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) n a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah said the situation is under control.

Orah said, “At 10:05am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five (5) souls on board with no reported injury.

“They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks. The Airport Emergency response team is on the scene along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible.

She also assured that a preliminary report will be released to the public by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) at the conclusion of an investigation into the matter.