Air Mishap Averted as Arik Flight With Imoke on Board Returns to Abuja After Failing to Land in Calabar

by crossriverwtch admin

Another air mishap was averted on Thursday night when an Arik aircraft that departed Abuja for Calabar had to return to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja following its inability to land owing to the absence of electricity at the run way of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

The aircraft which departed Abuja for Calabar late at night was said to have the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke who was returning to Calabar after three days in Abuja to hold meetings with President Goodluck Jonathan on board.

The aircraft, according to sources at the Airport arrived Calabar at about 2am and could not land as the lights on the run way were out.

“The lights were out and the entire place was in darkness so apparently the aircraft could not land and had to return to Abuja to avoid any ugly incident” A source at the airport told our reporter.

A fair complexioned Arik official told CrossRiverWatch in their office at the airport that “the aircraft is coming back to Calabar at about now (2pm) and as I speak to you the aircraft is air bound and would soon arrive here with the passengers”.

The lady who said she is not the “spokesperson” of Arik Airlines and therefore should not be named in the story stated that the lights at the run way which were out could not let the aircraft to land because “It would be plunging lives into darkness”.

She however would not confirm if the Cross River State Governor was in the aircraft because “It is not my place to confirm or deny such information”.

The Airport Manager was away when CrossRiverWatch visited and a female official said the manager was the only competent person to speak on the issue.