Borno State Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and over 100 passengers narrowly avoided tragedy on Wednesday evening when a Max Air flight experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Maiduguri International Airport. The incident, caused by a bird strike, forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing just 10 minutes into its journey to Abuja.

The event unfolded around 7 p.m., with the pilot and crew managing to bring the aircraft back to Maiduguri Airport safely.

Passengers onboard, included Deputy Governor Kadafur, government dignitaries, and aides such as a commissioner and senior special advisers.

In response, Max Air management dispatched another aircraft from Kano to Maiduguri to transport the stranded passengers safely to Abuja.

The affected aircraft remains grounded at Maiduguri International Airport for extensive repairs, with investigations into the incident underway.