General News
512 Muslim Pilgrims Escape Death as Air Tragedy is Averted
A major air disaster was averted yesterday in Sokoto as a Boeing 747 belonging to Kabo Air Limited lost two of its tyres while landing at the Sir Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto.
This is coming just as the country still continues to mourn the crash of an Embraer 120 plane which crashed on Thursday with the remains of Dr Olusegun Agagu , late Ondo State Governor, which killed 13 of the 20 people on board,
The plane, which was carrying 512 Muslim pilgrims to Saudi but billed to stop in Sokoto to pick up Aliyu Wamakko, state governor, his wife and some other passengers, was said to have suffered burst tyres before ramming into the Instrument Landing System (ILS), a navigational equipment installed at the airport
In a statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), it stated that that the Boeing 747-3 aircraft with Reg 5N-JRM belonging to Kabo Air operated by Kabo airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport at 2100 GMT.
“The aircraft which departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano was en route Saudi Arabia when it had a stop-over at the Sokoto airport for passenger pickup.
Preliminary reports indicate that the control tower gave the pilot clearance to land on Runway 08 but the captain, opted to use Runway 26, for reasons yet to be ascertained.
“”The 512 souls on board, made of 494 passengers and 18 crew members landed safely.
The aircraft however damaged some Instruments Landing System (ILS) and came to a stop with deflated tyres.
“The FAAN emergency response apparatus acted swiftly to secure all souls on board and the aircraft.
The airline has since made arrangements for another aircraft to pick the passengers to complete their journey to Saudi Arabia.”
Alhaji Aminu Hamza, the airline’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), refuted reports that the aircraft had an emergency landing, saying it only lost two of its tyres in the process of landing.
He said there was no diversion as the aircraft was to pick additional 54 International passengers in Sokoto before the incident.
A statement by the management of the airline said in Kano that the aircraft in an attempt to land lost two of its rear tyres, but the pilot was able to control it to a safe parking.
Addressing reporters in Kano, the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Aminu Hamza said that the chattered Boeing 747 jumbo jet, with 494 international passengers on-board took off from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday night en-route Sokoto to Saudi Arabia.
He, however, refuted reports that the aircraft had an emergency landing. He insisted that there was no diversion as the aircraft was to pick additional 54 International passengers in Sokoto before the incident.
The Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari and his wife, Zainab, were to board the aircraft with 48 other intending pilgrims from the state.
But the governor and his wife returned to Birnin Kebbi after the incident. The Special Assistant to Dakingari on Media, Ibrahim Argungu, confirmed the report to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, “The governor and his wife, Zainab, had since returned to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.’’
However, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it is awaiting the Mandatory Occurrence Report from Kabo Air over the incidence.
According to the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Fan Nduuoke, the aircraft with Registration Number 5N-JRM, operated by Kabo Airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport.
Kabo Air Director of Flight Operations, Captain Joseph Machinu confirmed that the aircraft just returned from Indonesia, where it underwent maintenance and air worthiness checks.
Captain Machinu, explained that all the passengers on board during the incident are safe, as no injury was recorded. He added that another aircraft has since been drafted to Sokoto to airlift the passengers to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.
The NCAA spokesperson, said the aircraft which departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano was en route Saudi Arabia when it had a stop-over at the Sokoto airport for passenger pickup.
Corroborating the account of the NCAA, the spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati said:”On October 4, 2013, a Boeing 747-3 aircraft with Reg 5N-JRM, operated by Kabo Airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport at 2100 GMT.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the control tower gave the pilot clearance to land on Runway 08 but the captain, opted to use Runway 26, for reasons yet to be ascertained. The 512 souls on board, made of 494 passengers and 18 crew members landed safely.
“The aircraft however damaged some Instruments Landing System (ILS) and came to a stop with deflated tyres. The FAAN emergency response apparatus acted swiftly to secure all souls on board and the aircraft. The airline has since made arrangements for another aircraft to pick the passengers to complete their journey to Saudi Arabia.”
One of the passengers, Aliyu Abdullahi, a trader at Kwari Market in Kano, told NAN at Giginya Hotel yesterday that it was a terrifying experience.
“We heard an unusual sound as the plane landed at the Sokoto Airport.’’
Another passenger, Tijjani Jega, said he was shocked and that passengers prayed fervently. “We thank God that a major tragedy was averted.’’
The Acting Manager of the Sokoto Airport, Mr Madu Bukar, while thanking God, said the incident was common in the aviation industry, but that it would be investigated.
He, however, expressed happiness that nobody was injured in the incident.
Innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, Wema Bank, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment by partnering with the SheCan Conference for the fifth consecutive year.
The collaboration has announced it would empower women with N2 million grant during the 6th edition of SheCan 6.0. conference, that will be held on July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
The event is expected to host over 7,000 women under the theme “SheCan Do More.”
Announcing this partnership, Wema Bank through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, said it will be awarding ₦2 million in business grants to support women entrepreneurs within the SARA Community.
This grant is to support small and medium businesses within the SARA Community to scale up their business.
Ayodele Olojede, Head, Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said, “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. Year after year, we’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that access, and opportunity can create in the lives of women and their communities.
“Through SARA by Wema, our goal is to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”
“This year’s partnership represents more than sponsorship; it is a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses, scale their impact, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“Eligible applicants must be women-led businesses with active Wema Bank accounts and must be registered members of the SARA Community.
“Interested participants are required to submit a written pitch of no more than two pages, detailing their business and founder story, the problem being solved, target audience and competitive advantage, proposed use of the grant, and the expected outcomes and community impact. Entries must also include the applicant’s Wema Bank account number, full name, and the email address used to join the SARA Community.”
Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted two companies, FARM360 Limited and MCBHADMOS Trans-Atlantic Trade Limited, for illegal capital market operations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that the companies were arraigned on June 16 by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on a five-count charge for operating collective investment schemes without valid licences from either the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The charges allege that between 2021 and 2022, the firms collected approximately N80 million from several investors but failed to refund the money or pay accrued interest. One of the counts stated that the companies operated without a valid licence to conduct investment management, violating Section 57 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.
The companies pleaded not guilty, but EFCC investigator Nnadikwu Izuchukwu Collins presented evidence that included a petition from investors who claimed the firms promised high returns through agricultural and forex trading investments. The petition revealed the group invested a total of N93 million.
Investigations showed neither FARM360 nor MCBHADMOS held the necessary licences from the SEC or CBN. A Fidelity Bank statement revealed that the N80 million received was used for personal purposes. The directors of both companies remain at large, with efforts underway to apprehend them.
The prosecution submitted bank statements, the investor petition, and official correspondence with the CAC, CBN, and SEC as evidence, all of which were admitted by Justice Dipeolu.
The court convicted both companies on all counts and imposed fines of N5 million per count.
In a related case, the court also convicted Quintessential Investment Company Limited for similar illegal capital market activities, following its arraignment on two counts of operating collective investment schemes without CBN approval.
Burna Boy, Grammy-winning Nigerian artist, has publicly distanced himself from a meme coin circulating online that falsely uses his name and image for promotion.
Burna Boy
In a statement shared via Instagram, the Afrobeats star made it clear that he has no involvement in any cryptocurrency ventures, describing such schemes as fraudulent.
His comments come amid growing traction of a meme coin allegedly linked to him, which has been circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“I don’t do any internet ‘coin’ business. I see it as fraud and I have no interest in any of that,” Burna Boy wrote. “So if you see anyone using my name for such, please disregard or report them.”
The singer urged fans to remain vigilant and to report anyone promoting the crypto project under false pretenses.
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