A Qatar Airways aircraft travelling from Lagos to Doha made an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on Friday after experiencing a technical fault mid-air.
The airline confirmed that flight QR 1406 made an unscheduled return to Lagos due to a technical issue that occurred during the flight. Qatar Airways said the cockpit crew followed standard safety procedures and landed the aircraft safely.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft was carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members when the fault developed within Nigerian airspace.
In a statement signed by Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s permanent secretary, the agency said emergency responders were immediately deployed after distress alerts were received through its toll-free emergency lines.
According to the agency, the pilot successfully executed a safe landing with emergency teams placed on high alert along the runway. Multiple agencies, including LASEMA response units, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), coordinated the response.
LASEMA said all passengers were safely evacuated and no injuries or casualties were recorded. After initial safety checks, the aircraft was moved to the apron for further inspection and necessary repairs.
Reacting to the incident, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), clarified that the aircraft did not crash or experience any runway incursion. He added that most passengers have since continued their journeys, while others were accommodated and rebooked on alternative flights.
