An operational disruption has occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja following an aviation incident involving an Allied Air cargo aircraft.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-JRT, experienced a tyre malfunction upon landing and subsequently deviated from Runway 22, necessitating a temporary closure of the facility. The incident transpired at precisely 10:05 hours on December 11, 2024.
According to aviation authorities, all five occupants aboard the aircraft emerged unscathed and were promptly evacuated to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) medical facility for precautionary assessment.
The incident has precipitated significant operational disruptions, with numerous scheduled departures experiencing delays as emergency response teams coordinate recovery efforts. Airport personnel are presently engaged in runway clearance operations to restore normal services.
Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, issued an official communiqué confirming the incident. The statement emphasised that the Airport Emergency Response Team has been deployed to the scene, alongside investigators from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
FAAN has urged the aviation community and general public to exercise patience during this interruption and cautioned against speculation pending the preliminary investigation report from the NSIB. Operations are expected to resume once the affected aircraft is safely removed and standard safety protocols are completed.
The authority has assured stakeholders that the runway will be reopened for regular operations at the earliest possible opportunity, following thorough safety assessments.
