Aircraft conveying Jigawa pilgrims makes emergency landing in Kano after ‘lightning strike’

About 556 pilgrims from Jigawa, on Wednesday, escaped death when an aircraft carrying them, made an emergency landing at the Aminu Kano International Airport after it was struck by lightning.

The aircraft belonging to Max Air, which departed the Dutse International Airport at about  4.45 pm, was said to have terminated the journey to Saudi Arabia as a result of the lightning which affected the “noose of the aeroplane”.

The aircraft with 21 crew members, was said to have requested to make an emergency landing at the Kano airport.

NAN reports that Umar Labbo, executive secretary of the Jigawa pilgrim board, had earlier said all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the transportation of the remaining pilgrims.

Labbo spoke in an interview with newsmen after the departure of the first batch of pilgrims from 16 LGAs in the state.

“We also reminded the pilgrims that any unlawful act could invalidate their Hajj,” he added.

However, the Jigawa pilgrim board and Max Air were yet to release an official statement on the incident.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had earlier said about 1,400 pilgrims have so far been airlifted to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.