A private aircraft conveying David Jimkuta, the senator representing Taraba South, made an emergency return to Abuja shortly after take-off following a technical fault.
The incident occurred on Saturday while the senator and other passengers were travelling from Abuja to Kashimbila Airport in Taraba State.
According to a statement from the senator’s media office, the aircraft developed a fault a few minutes after departure, prompting the pilot to abort the journey and return to the airport in line with aviation safety procedures.
The plane departed after an initial delay caused by unfavourable weather conditions. However, about six minutes into the flight, an alarm reportedly sounded, alerting the pilot to the technical problem. The pilot then immediately turned the aircraft back to Abuja where it landed safely without incident.
The senator was said to be travelling to Takum and Wukari in Taraba State to attend the 2026 Zion Conference in Takum and to pay a condolence visit to the Catholic Diocese of Wukari following a fire incident at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Other passengers on board included Magaji Jirape, President of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN), Istifanus Gbana, a former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, and Adi Shekarau Masa-Ibi, an APC youth leader.
All passengers and crew members returned safely to Abuja. The senator’s office expressed gratitude to God for preserving their lives and said details of a rescheduled trip would be communicated later.
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