Plane Crash Averted in Kebbi

What would have resulted in a terrible plane accident, involving no fewer than 500 intending pilgrims from Kebbi State to Mecca, was averted yesterday.

It was gathered that the aircraft with registration number N5-MBB developed serious technical problem that resulted in three abortive take-offs.

Though badly shaken by the experience, the pilgrims who disembarked from the faulty aircraft were grateful to Allah for what they described as a great miracle that to saved their lives.

No casualty was recorded.

The state government has directed that the intending pilgrims be provided with hot meals while moves were being made to provide another aircraft to airlift them.

However, in a bid to ensure hitch-free Hajj operations in the state, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has ordered the arrest and detention of four officials of the Hajj operation who were involved in short-changing intending pilgrims of their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).

Governor Bagudu gave this directive when he received complaints from the affected victims, numbering 24, mostly female pilgrims.

The governor constituted a four-member committee headed by his Chief of Staff, ADC, CSO and the APC’s state PRO to ensure that those short-changed have a refund of their money and culprits punished accordingly.