Nigeria comes to the rescue of Qatar Airways as faulty plane lands at Lagos airport

NIGERIA has come to the rescue of the international aviation industry after the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos dealt with the emergency landing of a Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members.

Yesterday, a technical malfunction compelled a Qatar Airways aircraft to make an emergency landing in Lagos. According to Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the permanent secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema), the aircraft developed a fault while in flight within Nigerian airspace, necessitating the emergency landing.

Dr Oke-Osanyintolu said: “The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with the Lasema Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway. Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated.

"After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs. All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives."

Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency noted that there was no major damage to the aircraft. According to a preliminary Lasema report, the agency activated the state’s emergency response plan immediately upon receiving the distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

He reassured the public of the agency’s readiness to respond to emergencies, noting that the swift, coordinated response helped avert what could have been a major aviation disaster. Eyewitnesses at the airport described tense moments as emergency responders lined the runway, while passengers on board braced for an unexpected landing.

Furthermore, Lasema explained that upon arrival at the scene, its Lagos Response Team discovered that the aircraft had already conducted a forced landing due to technical issues. Also, the agency commended the pilot for his professionalism, successfully bringing the aircraft down safely while emergency teams stood by on extreme high alert.

After landing, the aircraft was thoroughly checked by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for detailed inspection and necessary repairs. All passengers were safely evacuated, with no injuries recorded.

According to Lasema, despite the frightening incident, there was no significant damage to the aircraft and it has since been secured and recovery operations concluded. Emergency responders at the scene included Lasema's Command and Control Centre, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

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