Nigeria Airways Flight 470
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 1, 1984 |
| Defunct | July 2006 |
| Headquarters | Lagos , Nigeria |
| Products | Air transport services |
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On Monday, 25 October 1993, Nigeria Airways Flight 470, operating from Lagos to Abuja, was commandeered by a group of four teenagers aged between 16 and 18.[1][nb 1]
Aircraft
The airplane involved was an Airbus A310-222 with serial number (MSN) 340 and registration code 5N-AUH, equipped with two Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4D1 engines. Delivered to Nigeria Airways in December 1984, this aircraft served for 22 years before being decommissioned and dismantled at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in July 2006.[2] Notably, the plane had been involved in a collision with a maintenance vehicle at London's Heathrow Airport one year prior to the hijacking.[3]
Background
The hijackers—Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenugaa, Benneth Oluwadaisi, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal—boarded the flight that was scheduled to travel from Lagos to Abuja. Among the passengers were high-ranking government officials including Rong Yiren, the vice president of China, alongside Nigerian dignitaries.[4]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Their plan was to redirect the flight to Frankfurt, Germany. However, a refuelling stop was required at Niamey in the Niger Republic. Upon landing at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport, the hijackers declared that the aircraft had been seized on behalf of the "Movement for the Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria".[1]
The group demanded that Nigeria’s military-supported interim government step down and appoint Moshood Abiola as president. They threatened to ignite the Airbus A310 within three days if their demands were not fulfilled.[5]
Following two hours of negotiations, they released 129 passengers—including Rong Yiren—while retaining control over the crew and Nigerian officials.[4]
After four days, security forces stormed the aircraft and apprehended the hijackers. During this intervention, crew member Ethel Igwe was fatally wounded, and Richard sustained injuries.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Aftermath
The hijackers were incarcerated in Niger for a duration of 9 years and 4 months. Soon following the hijacking event, the interim administration led by Ernest Shonekan was succeeded by the regime of General Sani Abacha.
Dramatization
- The 1993 Nigerian Airways hijacking was portrayed in the Netflix production Hijack '93, released in October 2024.
Notes
- ↑ Other accounts suggest the hijackers were aged between 19 and over 20.
References
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- Aircraft hijackings in Africa
- Hijackings in the 1990s
- October 1993 crimes
- Nigeria Airways accidents and incidents
- October 1993 in Nigeria
- 1993 in Nigeria
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1993
- Aviation accidents and incidents in Nigeria
- Accidents and incidents involving the Airbus A310