The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Command, Lagos, confirms an aviation incident involving a chartered aircraft at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Airport Command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, confirmed that on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at approximately 6:58 p.m., a chartered Cessna 172 aircraft, registered as 5N-SKR, with call sign ASR, crashed while landing at Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri. The aircraft, en route from Kaduna, suffered damage after a crash landing at the threshold of Runway 17.

There were four (4) crew members on board at the time of the occurrence. Upon receipt of the distress information, the airport police patrol units in collaboration with airport emergency response teams, were swiftly deployed to the scene.

All occupants were successfully rescued. Two of the crew members were in stable condition, while the remaining two, who were initially unconscious, were immediately evacuated to the hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.

Airport operations remained uninterrupted, as the situation was promptly brought under control. The affected area remains under close monitoring to ensure continued safety and security, while relevant aviation authorities have commenced the necessary technical assessments in line with standard operating procedures.

The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Olufunke Ogunbode, commends the professionalism and rapid coordination of all responding agencies and reassures the public of the Command’s unshaken commitment to aviation safety, public security, and effective emergency response across all airports.