Federal Government Shuts Ibadan Airport as Probe into Minister’s Plane Crash Begins.
In the wake of a private jet accident that occurred on Friday, the Federal Government has temporarily suspended flight activities at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State, as investigations into the incident kick off.
The aircraft, which crash-landed near the runway, disrupted flight operations, prompting accident investigators to swiftly respond to the scene.
Although unconfirmed reports suggested that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and some of his aides were aboard the flight, this information was not officially confirmed by the minister’s aide, Bolaji Tunji, when contacted on Saturday.
Officials from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the accident on Saturday morning and assured that further details would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The private jet, with call sign 5NAMM and operated by FLINT AERO, had departed from Abuja at 18.41hrs en route to Ibadan but crashed short of the runway at approximately 19.21hrs. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, and all 10 passengers and three crew members were safely evacuated. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
In a statement, James Odaudu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NSIB, announced that the agency had initiated an investigation into the accident involving an HS 125 aircraft with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-AMM.
The NSIB has requested the public’s assistance by welcoming any video clips, relevant evidence, or information that can aid the investigation while urging the public and the press to respect the privacy of those involved and not jump to conclusions regarding the cause of the incident until the formal report is released. The preliminary report will be made available as soon as possible.
Despite the incident, a source close to Minister Adebayo Adelabu assured the public that there is no cause for concern about his safety, as he is reportedly in good spirits. According to the source, everyone on board the aircraft alighted without any issues, and the incident is viewed as minor.
