By Sandra Ugwu 

A commercial aircraft conveying 248 passengers and 12 crew members was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after developing a technical problem mid-air.

The incident, which happened on Thursday, led the pilot to initiate emergency procedures and land the aircraft safely, with emergency response teams placed on maximum alert along the runway.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the development, assuring that no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded. The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the emergency response plan was immediately activated following distress alerts received through LASEMA’s toll-free lines.

He explained that response teams were swiftly mobilised from the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, in collaboration with other relevant agencies. Preliminary investigations showed that the aircraft encountered technical difficulties while flying within Nigerian airspace, prompting the emergency landing.

Despite the incident, the aircraft was landed without any major damage. All passengers were safely evacuated, while the aircraft was later moved to the apron for thorough inspection and necessary repairs.

Emergency responders involved in the operation included LASEMA officials, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Recovery operations were successfully concluded shortly after the incident.