464 Pilgrims Escape Death At Sokoto Airport!

•Aircraft makes emergency landing

A crash was averted yesterday at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, as a Max Airline aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing about 2:40am.

The aircraft was conveying 464 pilgrims, including Hajj officials from Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The incidence is the second after a Kabo Airline aircraft escaped a similar crash at the beginning of this year’s Hajj exercise.

The aircraft hovered for about 20 minutes, after three attempts, before landing.

On board were Zamfara Deputy Governor and the state Amirul Hajj, Ibrahim Wakkala as well as other state officials.

Also on board were the Sokoto State Amirul Hajj, Jubril Gada and the Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Muntari Maigona.

The aircraft was said to be carrying the last batch of pilgrims from the zone, comprising those from Sokoto and Zamfara states.

A passenger, Faruku Umar, said: “The aircraft was supposed to have landed at 2.40am but it could not do so until around 3am.

“It was only able to land after making two futile attempts and it landed during the third attempt, but with difficulty.

“We all knew that there was a problem and it was a harrowing experience. We were, however, prayerful.”

The airport’s Acting Manager, Madu Bukar, said: “We mobilised all the fire engines and other facilities and personnel required during an emergency landing.

“Luckily, the aircraft landed without any hitch and there was no damage to any airport facility.

“All the passengers were thereafter safely evacuated and as I am speaking to you now, the aircraft is parked at the airport.”