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Tag: Passengers

  • Plateau boils again as unidentified armed men k!ll 14 passengers on their way from market

    Plateau boils again as unidentified armed men k!ll 14 passengers on their way from market

    Plateau boils again as unidentified armed men ambushed a vehicle coming back from the popular Bokkos market killing 14 passengers, including women and babies.

    Eyewitnesses who narrated the incident said the victims were on their way home from the weekly market after they had conducted their businesses when they were attacked and killed along Chirang Road in Mangor District of the LGA.

    One of the eyewitnesses, who did not want his name mentioned, said the heavily armed men blocked the road when the vehicle approached and opened fire sporadically, killing the victims and injuring many others.

    Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), Farmasum Fuddang, who also confirmed the incident in a statement on Fridy said it was shocking that despite several peace and reconciliation meetings and efforts to broker peace between farming and herding communities in the council, some bandits would still go ahead to kill innocent people.

    “The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies,” Fuddang said in the statement.

    “This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts,” the chairman said.

    Fuddang, who did not mince words in accusing Fulani militias of launching the attack, said the fact was clear that they were the culprits, insisting that their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognized as the potato headquarters of Nigeria.

  • SAD! Aircraft with 48 passengers on board crashes

    SAD! Aircraft with 48 passengers on board crashes

    Russian rescue services have found the wreckage of a plane that disappeared about 16km (10 miles) from its destination in the far-eastern Amur region.

    The Angara airlines An-24 plane, carrying 42 passengers and six crew, had left Blagoveshchensk close to the Chinese border and vanished from radar screens as it approached Tynda airport, officials said.

    Amur’s regional governor Vasily Orlov said “all necessary resources” had been deployed to find the plane. Five children were among those on board, he added.

    Shortly afterwards, Russia’s emergencies ministry said a Russian civil aviation helicopter had spotted burning fuselage from the plane. No one is thought to have survived, reports say.

    Amur’s civil defence centre said the plane had been found on a hillside about 16km (10 miles) from Tynda, Tass news agency reported.

    Footage from the scene showed wreckage from the plane burning in dense woodland and rescuers said it would take them about an hour to reach the site.

    Preliminary inquiries are looking at either pilot error in poor weather conditions or technical malfunction, according to emergency officials.

    The An-24 plane had been on the final leg of a route from Khabarovsk in the far south-east of Russia.

    The Angara airlines Antonov 24 plane is reported to be almost 50 years old, and has had trouble in the past.

    Although officials said the plane had passed a recent technical inspection, civil aviation authority told news agencies it had been involved in four incidents since 2018.

    Other An-24 planes have been involved in fatal crashes too.

    An An-24RV veered off the runway as it landed at Nizhneangarsk Airport in July 2019. Two members of the flight crew were killed.

    In 2011, another Angara An-24 crashed into the Ob river in Siberia, killing seven passengers.

    Source: BBC

  • Navy rescues 99 passengers from drowning

    Navy rescues 99 passengers from drowning

    The Nigerian Navy troops have rescued 99 passengers from drowning, following a boat accident at the Bukuma River in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers.

    Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, announced the development in a statement issued by the Base spokesperson, Lt.-Cdr. Bridget Bebia, on Wednesday.

    He explained that the wooden boat, named ‘Blood of Jesus,’ was carrying both passengers and goods from Port Harcourt to Akuku-Toru LGA when it collided with a barge.

    “The barge, Damen Buba, had a head-on collision with the ‘market boat’ en route to the Akuku-Toru area, resulting in significant structural damage to the boat.

    “The incident occurred on April 29 at about 10:55 a.m. in the Tuma area, about 300 meters from Naval Security Station 035, Degema LGA, Rivers,” he stated.

    Aniaku reported that upon receiving a distress call regarding the passengers in danger of drowning, the Navy promptly deployed four gunboats to carry out a search and rescue operation.

    “Troops swiftly arrived at the scene of the collision and successfully rescued all 99 passengers from the river, despite the challenging conditions faced during the operation.

    “Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were recorded during the rescue,” he added.

    The naval commander commended the personnel involved for their bravery and professionalism in rescuing all the passengers aboard the ill-fated boat.

    He attributed the successful rescue to the prompt intervention and skilled handling of the situation by the naval forces.

    “We are grateful that no lives were lost in the accident, and that passengers’ goods and property were recovered.

    “The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of mariners within the nation’s maritime domain,” Aniaku assured.

  • Gunmen kill 2, abduct 12 passengers in Benue

    Gunmen kill 2, abduct 12 passengers in Benue

    The Management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has said that gunmen attacked the company’s bus, killed the driver, one passenger and abducted 12 others.

    The company’s Information Officer, Mr Johnson Ehi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday.

    NAN reports that the company is owned by the Benue State Government.

    The statement explained that the bus, with Registration Number PP512, was travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, when the incident happened.

    According to Ehi, the incident occurred on Thursday, near Otukpo Burnt Bricks.

    The management condemned the fatal attack in very strong terms.

    It stated: “Regrettably, the driver of the 18-seater bus, Mr Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attackers.

    “While the gunmen attempted to abduct the remaining passengers, three individuals managed to escape, and another passenger had disembarked earlier at Taraku Town before the incident.”

    “The management extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones remain in captivity.

    “We assure the general public that we are in constant communication with security agencies, who are making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.

    “We appreciate the swift response of the law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.”

    When contacted, the Benue Police Command confirmed the incident.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, said “the incident was reported but details would be made available later”.

  • Three passengers arrested on Air Peace London to Lagos flight

    Three passengers arrested on Air Peace London to Lagos flight

    Air Peace Ltd. has said that security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) arrested three unruly passengers aboard its London to Lagos flight for disruptive behaviours.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, the Head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace.

    According to the statement, the three passengers were apprehended on Wednesday upon arrival at the Lagos airport.

    It said the apprehended passengers   endangered the safety of the flight, other passengers and crew members.

    “The incident occurred during flight when two of the individuals identified as Adedigba Adewale and Ashibogu Magnus, originally seated in Economy Class, unlawfully occupied seats in the Business Class cabin.

    “They refused multiple directives from the crew to return to their assigned seats. They bullied their way through to the business class unauthorised.

    “In spite of efforts to de-escalate the situation, the unruly passengers remained defiant, creating a tense atmosphere onboard,” the statement read.

    The statement also explained that the individuals openly consumed a bottle of rum they had brought onboard the flight while disregarding the crew’s instructions.

    According to it, the third unruly passenger, identified as Iwonze Benjamin, joined in the consumption of the rum.

    “This furthermore exacerbated their unruly conduct. Their behaviour raised security  and safety concerns among passengers and crew, prompting the captain to make repeated announcements from the cockpit.

    “Recognising the potential threat, the flight crew notified security agencies in Nigeria ahead of arrival.

    “Upon landing, law enforcement officials were on the ground to apprehend the individuals who were taken into custody for further investigations.”

    While reiterating its commitment to passenger safety and adherence to global aviation standards, the airline commended its crew for their professionalism in handling the threat to safety.

    The statement, which emphasised that the airline would not tolerate any form of disruptive behaviour, assured the public of its continuous efforts to uphold the highest levels of security and order on all flights.

    It also informed that the authorities were currently investigating the incident, “and appropriate legal action will follow.”

     

  • Insecurity! Niger state residents in panic mode as bandit absuct many passengers in 5 vehicles

    Insecurity! Niger state residents in panic mode as bandit absuct many passengers in 5 vehicles

    Bandits along the Maiga-Kontagora road in Niger State have kidnapped about 20 passengers traveling in five vehicles.

    The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency, informed newsmen that the incident occurred on Thursday when bandits blocked the Mariga-Kontagora road between Baban-Lamba and Beri.

    Sarkin-Daji was responding to a statement from the military refuting claims that bandits were operating within its training grounds in Kontagora LGA, which also extends to Mariga LGA.

    According to the Speaker, families of previously kidnapped victims had taken ransom payments to bandits multiple times in a forested area, reportedly part of the military grounds.

    Released victims also told their families they were held in a forest near the Kontagora Army Barracks.

    “The passengers kidnapped on Thursday on the Mariga-Kontagora road were also taken to the same forest,” the Speaker said, urging the military to act on accurate information and clear the bandits from the area.

    Sarkin-Daji emphasized that, as representatives, they regularly receive feedback from their constituents about their struggles, and they thoroughly investigate these issues before presenting them in the Assembly.

    He clarified that while they do not underestimate the military’s capacity to combat bandits, it is dismissive to ignore constituents’ complaints.

    He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to address these concerns, as local communities claim that the military training ground has become a safe haven for bandits who emerge from the forest to carry out attacks.

    He pointed out that even those released after ransom payments have stated that they were held within sight of the Kontagora Army Barracks.

    The Speaker said the military should verify information from the victims and address the issue, rather than dismissing statements made by House members.

    He added that despite the military’s dismissal of one Assembly member’s statements on Wednesday, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri on Thursday, October 31, kidnapping over 20 passengers and moving them to the same forest.

    He urged the military to act and clear the criminals from the area, stressing that their role is to protect the people.

    The Speaker affirmed that they will continue to raise awareness so the federal government and all stakeholders understand the plight of their people.

  • 16 burnt to death, 5 injured in Ondo road crash

    16 burnt to death, 5 injured in Ondo road crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, says 16 people were burned to death and five  injured in a road accident on Tuesday night.

    Ondo State Sector Commander of FRSC, Samuel Ibitoye, confirmed the incident to NAN on Wednesday.

    Ibitoye said that the incident happened at Ajue village, between Ondo and Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, two vehicles, a commercial Toyota Hiace bus and a Man Diesel truck, were involved in the incident that happened at about 8 pm on Tuesday.

    The FRSC boss said that the fully loaded bus was coming from Lagos and heading to the northern part of the country.

    He said that it took the FRSC about four hours to clear the road.

    Ibitoye attributed the causes of the accident to excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking, adding that one of the vehicles might have been carrying fuel.

    “Three male adults were seriously injured, two had minor injuries and 16 people were burnt beyond recognition.

    “Though investigation on the cause of the accident has not been concluded,  preliminary investigation indicated high speeding, wrongful overtake and, possibly, one of them carried fuel inside the vehicle.

    “Meanwhile, the injured ones have been taken to Ore General Hospital for treatment, while the corpses have been released to the Hausa Community in the area for possible burial this morning,’’ he said.

    He appealed to motorists to shun speeding and observe all rules and regulations of the road.

    “And they should not carry fuel inside their vehicles, because when there is a crash the fuel explodes and burn everybody badly ,” he said.

  • NCAA to compensate travellers for flights disruption

    NCAA to compensate travellers for flights disruption

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured air travelers of prompt payment of compensation for any flight disruption and baggage issues.

    Mr Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection gave the assurance at a News conference on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, the NCAA would ensure prompt resolution of customers’ complaints and compel default airlines to act immediately.

    He said the authority had been rebranding its Consumer Protection Department for public awareness and effective service delivery.

    He further said that efforts had been made towards ensuring better passenger experience for Nigerian passport holders flying foreign airlines.

    Achimugu stated that a lot had been accomplished within the four months stewardship of Capt. Chris Najomo as NCAA Acting Director General.

    He said the engagement of NCAA in February with foreign airlines had resulted to foreign airlines unblocking their inventory fares and making cheaper fares available.

    Listing other achievements of the agency Achimugu said with the efforts of the Federal Government, Air Peace has commenced Lagos-London operations.

    `Base on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo and NCAA Ag. DG`s sojourn to the UK, buoyed by the commitment of Mr President, Air Peace was able to finally commence the Lagos-London operations,’ he said.

    “A complete re-evaluation of holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) is on-going to ensure holders are adhering to the terms and conditions of their permits.

    “ Relocation of the Procurement Department from the Director -General’s office to the Directorate of Corporate Services to promote transparency and accountability in procurement matters,” he said.

    He said the authority had been able to pay off the backlog of housing arrears to all members of staff that had accumulated from 2019 till date.

    He added that a ministerial approval was secured for inter-directorate deployment, to open up bottlenecks in structure and subsequent promotion of stagnated workers from Grade Level 14 to 15 as general welfare.

    Achimugu said the management had been operating open-door policy and regular engagement with the unions to ensure peace and stability in the workforce.

    He said the NCAA would take legal action against media houses that publish false information about the organisation.

     

  • 18-seater bus accident throws passengers into Lagos Lagoon

    18-seater bus accident throws passengers into Lagos Lagoon

    The impact of an accident on Wednesday in Lagos threw two adults off an 18-seater bus into the Lagos lagoon.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said this in a statement in Lagos.

    He said that personnel of the Marine Police were in search of the two adults, a male and female, who fell off the LT 18-seater bus.

    Farinloye said that the crash involving the bus with registration number FKJ 872 YA occurred by Adeniyi Adele axis inward Lagos Island, on the third mainland bridge.

    He said that the driver of the vehicle, who was  on  speed, swerved off the road and hit  the bridge railings.

    He said that the impact  forcefully pushed the two passengers off the bus into the Lagos lagoon.

    “The victims, an adult male and female are being searched by the Marine Police.

    “The injured  have been evacuated to  a nearby hospital, ” Farinloye said.

  • Air Peace clarifies leaving passenger at Gatwick Airport

    Air Peace clarifies leaving passenger at Gatwick Airport

     The management of Air Peace has denied claims that it abandoned a passenger and closed its counter for its Gatwick to Lagos flight on Monday.

    Mr Stanley Olisa, Corporate Communications Lead of the airline, stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to Olisa, the airline’s explanation became necessary after a video surfaced on social media alleging that it abandoned a Lagos bound passenger at Gatwick Airport.

    “The video has claimed that the airline closed its  counter before closing time because the aircraft was over booked on the London to Lagos flight, which is  false.”

    Olisa said that the video was misleading, malicious and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the airline.

    He explained that the passenger arrived the airport very late after check-in phase was concluded and the counter closed according to the approved time of the airport management.

    “Gatwick Airport operates by slot timings allocated to each of the airlines operating out of this airport. The check-in operations of airlines are slot-based, and airlines take turns based on their approved times.

    “Once your slot timing is up, you must vacate the counters for the next airline’s utilisation. The check-in process ends at 9.00 a.m. as advised in the Terms and Conditions section of our e-ticket and website, and the counter was vacated by Air Peace in accordance with our slot allocation at 9:55 a.m.

    “To ensure passengers do not miss their flights, we send them multiple messages at different times before their flight, 24 hours, 14 hours and 6 hours before flight departure.

    “Departure for this flight was scheduled for 11:10 a.m., so all processes needed to adhere to this time,” he clarified.”

    He further said that contrary to the claim in the video, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority could attest to the number of passengers on the manifest for the said flight.

    He said that the aircraft left Gatwick with some seats unoccupied, and so, no overbooking took place.

    “Gatwick Airport has CCTV coverage showing the time the passenger arrived at the airport and Air Peace counter and the time the maker of this video got to the airport.

    “The late arriving passenger duly paid the no show fee, was booked to travel on a subsequent flight, and therefore the issue was resolved at the airport.”

    Olisa expressed displeasure that a different version of what transpired had been circulating social media.

    He said Air Peace would continue to do its best to meet the needs of passengers, but also required them to align with the airline to ensure they could travel to their destinations by adhering to specified times.