News Update: Taraba governor survives plane crash

The Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, escaped death on Thursday after a plane he was flying crashed in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. The governor, his aide-de-camp and chief security officer, who were also in the plane that took off from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, and three others, were seriously injured.

Mr Suntai, who graduated as a pilot from the Aviation College in Zaria last year, was piloting the crashed plane. This would be the second time he is surviving a plane crash.

The plane, a Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ, owned by the state government, crashed at about 7.45 pm, near the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot, on the outskirts of Yola.

The governor, who was brought in unconscious, was first taken to Yola Specialist Hospital for treatment, but was later, moved to the better-equipped Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

A statement from the Ministry of Aviation said the aircraft had six persons, including the crew on board when it crashed.

It said the aircraft departed Jalingo for Yola and reported contact with the Yola control tower, but shortly before it landed, the pilot lost contact with the control tower, while efforts to radio the aircraft failed.

“A search and rescue was immediately activated and the site of incident located with all victims alive with various degrees of injuries. The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident,” the statement, signed by the media aide to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metu, said it was shocked by the news of the accident.

“We received the news of the plane crash with shock. We are officially awaiting the news of the true position right now and we urge all our members in Taraba and Nigerians to pray for him,” it said.

With Mr Suntai’s incapacitation, his deputy, Garba Umar, who was sworn in on October 5, following the impeachment of Sani Abubakar, is expected to take charge in the state.

The Taraba State Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, who confirmed to Channels Television that the governor survived the plane crash, said he is now receiving medical attention.

Mr Bello, who spoke to Channels Television, said: “we have a situation in our hands but to the glory of God, the governor is alive and he is already been given the attention he needs right now.”

“For now he is on bed and alive to the glory of God,” he added.

The Commissioner however refused to confirm whether the governor was the one that flew the crashed plane.

“We are getting all sorts of information but we are working to get the situation under control and there is no reason to panic” he affirmed.

An official of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the plane, a Cessna 208 with six passengers lost control 38miles to landing at 1.730z in Yola.

According to the FAAN official, the plane took off from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital to Yola Airport.

FAAN claimed the crash was confirmed by its official at the Yola Airport Control tower.

-Channels