All seven passengers on board the military aircraft King Air 350 which crashed in Abuja earlier today have been confirmed dead by the Nigerian Air Force.

Confirming the crash on Sunday via a tweet,  Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that the Minna bound flight crashed as a result of engine failure.

Although Sirika did not disclose the number of casualties, he called for prayers for the departed souls, if any, as investigations proceed into the “fatal” crash.

“A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any,” his tweet read.

Meanwhile, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola – NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, in a tweet afterwards, revealed that there was no survivor from the crash.

“This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.

Speaking further Daramola revealed that Chief of the Air Staff – Air Vice Marshal IO Amao, has ordered an investigation of the incident.

He sent condolences to the family of the deceased, urging Nigerians to remain calm and await the outcome of the investigation.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), @CAS_IOAmao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm & await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased,” the tweet read.

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT

This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash

— Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (@KunleDaramola3) February 21, 2021