By Soni Daniel & Laide Akinboade
ABUJA—AT 9.30 pm Thursday , the Special Assistant to the Aviation Minister, Mr. Joe Obi, issued a terse statement on the incident claiming that nobody died in the air crash.

According to Obi, the incident involved a Cessna 208 aircraft marked 5N-BMJ with six persons on board.

The aircraft, which was piloted by the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, reportedly left Jalingo, the Taraba State capital at about 5: 20 pm, but lost contact with the Yola Control Tower 38 miles to landing.

The spokesman said the pilot’s attempt to raise the aircraft, failed.

Obi said search and rescue was immediately activated and the site of the incident located with all the victims alive but with various degrees of injuries.

He stated that the victims were immediately evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation.

Part of the statement read: “An aircraft, Cessna 208 with 6 souls on board including crew, operated by the Taraba State Government departed Jalingo, Taraba State for Yola this evening and reported contact with the Yola Control Tower (1720Z) and field in sight at 38 miles estimating landing at 1730Z.

“The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to raise the aircraft failed.

Search and rescue was immediately activated and site of incident located with all victims alive with various degree of injuries.

“The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident.

“This is the correct version of the incident, every other one that is contrary to this is incorrect,” Obi insisted.

PDP reacts

In a text message by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said: “We  received the news of the plane crash with shock. We are officially awaiting news of the true position right now and we urge all our members in Taraba State and Nigeria in general to pray for him.”