Ibom Air, a state-owned airline in Akwa Ibom, had to evacuate passengers in a hurry off the tarmac of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, or MMIA.
According to reports, a flight to Lagos was scheduled to depart from Abuja at 10.30 am on IAN 4157 with 128 passengers. At 11.41 a.m., as scheduled, the plane made a smooth landing on the international runway in Lagos.
The pilots observed a failure indicator from the main wheels as they backed off the runway.
There was an announcement that the aircraft will be tolled right away.
The passengers however panicked and were uncomfortable with the development after being informed by the pilot who tried his best to arrest and handle the situation.
However, in a statement made available by the Ibom Air, General Manager, Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, he said: “In accordance with company procedure, rather than taxi the full distance to the domestic terminal, the crew opted to turn off into the international cargo apron from where stairs and buses were positioned to disembark the passengers and take them to the domestic arrival hall.
“All 128 passengers on board were safely disembarked and transported to the arrival hall at MMA2, while our Engineers work on the fault.
“This statement is given to clear any ambiguity while expressing our regrets to our passengers for the inconvenience.”
