Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, along with over 100 passengers, narrowly avoided a disaster on Wednesday evening, December 4, when a Max Air aircraft experienced an engine fire mid-air due to a malfunction.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m., shortly after departing Maiduguri International Airport for Abuja.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared on X that the engine failure was caused by a bird strike approximately 10 minutes into the flight.
The pilot and crew promptly conducted an emergency landing, safely returning to Maiduguri Airport.
The swift actions of the crew ensured the safety of all passengers, preventing a potential catastrophe. However, the incident caused panic among those on board, with many opting to retrieve their luggage and forgo the journey instead of boarding a replacement flight.
“It was a terrifying experience. Everyone was on edge,” one passenger shared.
Max Air promptly dispatched a replacement aircraft from Kano, which successfully transported willing passengers, including Deputy Governor Kadafur, to Abuja later that night.
Although the airline has yet to release a detailed statement on the incident, it has been praised for its prompt response in handling the situation.
