Borno Deputy Governor, Over 100 Passengers Escape Max Air Mishap

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, and more than 100 passengers narrowly avoided a potential disaster when a Max Air aircraft suffered an engine fire shortly after departing from Maiduguri International Airport.

The incident took place on Wednesday around 7 p.m. when the plane, bound for Abuja, experienced engine failure caused by a bird strike approximately 10 minutes into the flight. The crew quickly executed an emergency landing back at Maiduguri Airport, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

A Max Air staff member, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the bird strike ignited one of the engines, prompting the emergency response. “The pilot acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all passengers,” the staff member said.

Although the emergency landing was successful, many passengers were shaken, with some choosing to retrieve their belongings and forego the trip. However, Max Air arranged for a replacement aircraft from Kano, enabling passengers, including the Deputy Governor, to complete their journey to Abuja later that evening.

The damaged aircraft remains grounded at Maiduguri International Airport, where extensive repairs are being carried out. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. Airport authorities have commended the crew’s professionalism and reassured the public of their dedication to maintaining safety standards.