Jigawa pilgrims escape air mishap after thunder strike

The first batch of the this years pilgrims from Jigawa state on Wednesday escaped a plane crash after a Max Air aircraft made a sudden air-return landing at Aminu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA) following a thunder strike.

The Guardian gathered last night that the Boeing 747 plane left Jigawa at exactly 4:45 pm before it made the air return at the Aminu Kano International Airport,

The intending pilgrims numbering about 559 were the first batch of the 1,625 intending pilgrims airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj. They departed the Dutse International Airport at exactly 4:45p.m.

The journey was, however, cut short when it was struck by lightning that affected the movement of the aircraft

A spokesperson for Max Air in Kano, Bello Ramadan, confirmed the development last night. He said the incident happened after a thunder lighting which affected the left windscreen of a co-pilot.

“The problem is not as much as the passengers are reporting, some of them are panicking and reporting what did not happen, the airplane’s engine and tires are in perfect condition.

“We have provided an alternative plane to continue the journey, the plane is about fueling, and the passengers are okay, even though some of them are panicking but there is no cause for alarm.

“It was a thunder strike that affected the left side screen, thank God it was mere scratch and not broken and the pilot decided to return. Very soon they will continue with the journey, Ramanda said.

Earlier, while addressing reporters before the plane’s take-off in the Dutse airport, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa pilgrim board, Umar Labbo, said the first batch of pilgrims was drawn from 16 out of 27 local government areas of the state.