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The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Command, Lagos, has confirmed a crash-landing involving a chartered aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The incident occurred at about 6:58 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, when the aircraft, with call sign ASR and registration number 5N-SKR, experienced a crash landing at the threshold of Runway 17. The aircraft, identified as a Cessna 172 (C-172), was en route from Kaduna to Owerri at the time of the incident.
According to police authorities, the aircraft sustained varying degrees of damage during the landing. Four crew members were on board when the incident occurred.
Following the receipt of distress information, airport police patrol teams, working alongside airport emergency response units, were immediately deployed to the scene to secure the area and rescue the occupants.
“All occupants were successfully rescued,” the police said in a statement. Two of the crew members were reported to be in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Authorities confirmed that airport operations were not disrupted, as the situation was swiftly brought under control. The affected section of the runway remains under close monitoring to ensure continued safety and security for airport users.
Meanwhile, relevant aviation authorities have commenced technical and safety assessments to determine the cause of the crash landing, in line with established aviation safety protocols.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Olufunke Ogunbode, commended the swift response and professionalism of all agencies involved in the rescue operation. She reassured members of the public of the Command’s commitment to aviation safety, public security and effective emergency response across Nigeria’s airports.
The incident adds to recent concerns over aviation safety and highlights the importance of coordinated emergency response mechanisms at Nigerian airports.
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