TARABA STATE GOVERNOR, 5 OTHERS SURVIVE PLANE CRASH

The site of the accident. Inset: Governor Suntai

The Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, and five of his aides were involved in a plane crash  in Yola, Adamawa State yesterday. He survived but his condition is said to be critical. The other passengers, including the governor’s security detail for the journey  also survived the crash. There was an initial report that the governor died in the crash, but the aviation ministry and the Taraba and Adamawa state governments said that he survived and is currently being treated at the German Specialist  Hospital in Yola. The governor, a licensed pilot,  was piloting the small aircraft at the time of the incident.  The private plane Cessna 208 aircraft marked 5N-BMJ, hit the ground behind the NNPC depot, along Yola-Numan Road at about 7 pm.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on Media, Mr. Joe Obi, gave details of the crash and said no passenger on the aircraft died. 

"The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to raise the aircraft failed. Search and Rescue was immediately activated and the site of the incident was 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." he said.