Plane That Landed On Road Linked To Abuja Church As FG Arrests Pakastani Pilot

Friday June 12, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

A private aircraft involved in an unusual landing incident near Asaba, Delta State, has been traced to a prominent Pentecostal church headquartered in Abuja and founded by a pastor from Benue State.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that investigations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revealed that the aircraft is registered in the United States under the church’s name.

The aircraft was reportedly brought into Nigeria under a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), a category that restricts its use to non-commercial operations.

However, aviation authorities are said to be examining allegations that the aircraft may have been used for private charter services in violation of the permit conditions.

Findings indicate that the aircraft previously operated under Mounthill Ltd before its operatorship was transferred to UMO Ltd in 2025 to secure the PNCF approval. Following the incident, the permit has reportedly been suspended by regulators.

Sources further disclosed that the pilot, said to be a Pakistani national, has been taken into custody over allegations of violating aviation age regulations.

The pilot is reportedly 70 years old, exceeding Nigeria’s stipulated age limit for pilots by five years. It was also gathered that authorities are considering criminal proceedings over the alleged breaches.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said preliminary findings showed that the aircraft carried out a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba Airport at about 7:43 a.m.

“Reports received from personnel at the scene indicate that all occupants safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road,” Achimugu said.

“The aircraft had four (4) crew members on board. At this time, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.”

According to him, information available to the authority indicated that the aircraft later departed the location and returned to Lagos without securing the necessary regulatory clearance.

He noted that air traffic control officials were informed only after the aircraft had already taken off.

The NCAA subsequently grounded the aircraft on arrival in Lagos pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

*The CABLE