Video: 7 dead as military jet crashes in Abuja

A military aircraft with some officers on board has crashed near Abuja airport.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, reported the crash via his twitter handle this morning.

He said the aircraft was enroute Minna, Niger State before the pilot reported engine failure.

According to Sirika: “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.

“It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any.”

The Nigeria Airforce later confirmed the incident and gave the the number of casualties as seven.

“This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased”, an Air force statement said.