The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, on Saturday, allayed fears about his safety following Friday’s incident near the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A source close to the minister told journalists in Ibadan that Adelabu is in good spirits and not perturbed by the incident.
A private aircraft that had the minister and some of his aides crash-landed near the airport on Friday night.
Speaking on the incident, an aide to the minister who sought anonymity, said, ”The Minister feels the incident is not something to worry about. It was actually a minor thing, and that is how he has taken it.”
He further said Adelabu was particularly not worried by the incident because it did not involve any of the passengers leaving with any injuries.
The minister’s aide also said, ”Everyone on board the aircraft when the incident happened actually alighted without any problem, and we have no cause to worry.”
Adelabu and 12 other passengers and flight crew narrowly escaped a tragic fate as their HS 125 aircraft, bearing nationality and registration Marks 5N-AMM, operated by Flint Aero, crash-landed at Ibadan, Oyo State airport while the incident occurred at 8:21pm on Friday.
The aircraft, which departed Abuja at about 6:41 p.m., was en route to Ibadan, carrying the minister’s officials.
But there were no fatalities when the incident happened while the aircraft sustained significant damage.
It was further gathered that the pilot had been cleared for an RNAV approach to Runway 22 of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan while the plane skidded off the runway.
Quick and efficient action allowed all passengers and crew members to be safely evacuated.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an inquest into the accident.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available last night, the NSIB’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, James Odaudu, stated that the agency has been notified and has commenced an investigation.
He added that the aircraft, with 10 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, was en route to Ibadan from Abuja.
He said, “The aircraft, on final approach to landing Runway 22, Ibadan Airport crashed short of the runway.
“There was no fatality, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
“As the investigating agency, NSIB needs and hereby solicits for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.
“The Bureau will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and not assume the cause of the serious incident until formal report is released.
“The Bureau will release the preliminary report as soon as possible.
