Nigeria: 38 people injured as United Airlines flight from Lagos to DC returns on emergency landing after three hours in the air

Reports have it that a United Airlines flight carrying over 200 passengers from Lagos to Washington, DC, returns on an emergency landing when it encounters issues midair.

According to sources, 38 people have been reportedly injured, including six hospitalized.

Speaking to one of the passengers, Mr. Joseph Bamidele told NEWSng that “We boarded the plane around 11:59 pm on Thursday. We were about 3 hours in the air, and we were having dinner when the incident happened.

He continued. “All of a sudden we saw the plane descend very fast, almost to about half of the height. We all started shouting, fear gripping all the passengers on board. Then the plane started bumping like a car driving into bumps.

“The cart that was used to serve food was flying around, and we started hitting our heads on each other’s and the body of the plane. Many of the crew’s staff had their legs dislocated. Some of us, including myself, started throwing up; children were crying, and some passengers sustained injuries.

“The pilot announced to us he was going to make an emergency landing in Ghana but later changed his mind to Lagos because, according to him, we will be taking the same risk either way. When we had the emergency landing in Lagos, there was no medical team on the ground.

“This time was 4 am on Friday; the immigration wanted to use that as an opportunity to extort money. The airport staff were after collecting money for the cart rather than helping. There was no compassion from both the immigration and Nacco staffs.

“We were later taken to the Ibis hotel near the airport, where we were abandoned. There were no follow-ups from United. Our case was treated as normal incidents.” He said.

NEWSng gathered that the exact nature of the emergency remains unclear, but video footage from the incident shows the Boeing 787-8’s cabin in disarray, with meal trays scattered across the floor and parts of the aircraft’s headliner detached.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reported that United Airlines Flight 613 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday but returned to Lagos at 3:22 a.m. Friday following an emergency that occurred “hours” into the journey.

United Airlines stated Saturday that the aircraft, carrying 245 passengers, eight crew members, and three pilots, returned safely to Lagos due to “a technical issue and an unexpected aircraft movement.”

Among the injured, four passengers and two flight attendants were hospitalized. While United Airlines described the injuries as minor, the Nigerian airports authority said the six individuals had “serious” injuries.

Despite the incident, the aircraft did not suffer significant damage, according to officials. The flight was in the air for 3 hours and 36 minutes, as per FlightAware.

NEWSng learned that United Airlines is cooperating with Nigerian and U.S. authorities to investigate the cause of the incident.

Nigeria: 38 people injured as United Airlines flight from Lagos to DC returns on emergency landing after three hours in the air

Gov. Buni disburses $2.5m to 101 Communities/Farmer groups

By: Mamman Mohammed

Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON on Saturday launched a second disbursement of $2,525,000 non-interest Community Revolving Fund loan to 101 communities and farmer groups in the state.

Governor Buni said the Non interest Community Revolving Fund was aimed at driving economic growth, provide employment opportunities and create wealth.

“It is an investment revolving facility sourced by the state government for communities and farmer groups to expand agricultural developments and strengthen the role of communities in the management of their environment for economic prosperity.

“This occasion is another milestone achieved by the state government by supporting 101 communities, and in line with our policy on youth empowerment, l have directed the allocation of 4,825 slots out of the total 7,340 slots to the youths for maximum engagement and benefit of the Community Revolving Fund loan programme” he said.

According to the Governor, 10 Pilot communities in Damaturu and Nguru Local government areas received $25,000 (N32,500,000.00) each last year.

“Reports reaching my office indicate that the benefitting communities and farmer groups have made good use of the facility, and commenced the repayment to sustain the revolving scheme, and afford others the opportunity to benefit” Gov. Buni added .

He charged the beneficiaries on judicious use of the loan and ensure repayment for the success of the programme to spur the government to introduce more incentives.

“We have a duty to join hands to effectively combat economic, environmental and other social challenges for the betterment of our people and the state”.

The Governor commended ACReSAL for the smooth process of identifying and guiding the benefitting groups to qualify and benefit from the scheme.

He reiterated the readiness of Yobe state government for more partnership with the federal government and other partners to make life more meaningful to the people.

Gov. Buni disburses $2.5m to 101 Communities/Farmer groups

Departing Spanish Ambassador Says Nigeria Owns the Future

By: Michael Mike

Departing Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell has said Nigeria is a country of great potential that owns the future.

Sell gave this description during his sent-forth party at the Embassy of Spain in Abuja.

The envoy said Nigeria, “What a potential! You own the future. It is only a matter of bringing that future to the present.
Of course, there are challenges. I have not met in these years a single Nigerian that would not come with his or her own list of proposals. And this is very good. My admiration always goes to Nations that
are never satisfied with their state of affairs (we Spaniards have become very good at that, perhaps too good).

“All you need is to transform your well-known resilience into a commitment to build together the country you all want. Let me assure you (dear Ministers) that you can count on Spain in that endeavour.”

Sell added that: “It is time for me to go home. I hove powerful reasons to do so. Primarily, the arrival of my first grandson, Íñigo. But I will also be pursuing a brand new professional career for some time (not bad for an old hand as me).

“Nostalgia will now change places. If I have longed for Spain and my people, I will now miss Nigeria and all of you. It is always encouraging to say “until we meet
again” (and it will be a real pleasure when it is the case). But the most helpful weapon to navigate this life of permanent change is memory.

“And I can assure you that I will treasure my
memories with each and every one of you.”

Departing Spanish Ambassador Says Nigeria Owns the Future