LAGOS: Passengers on board a hi-jacked Nigerian Airways plane were warned by gunmen they would be killed if they attempted to resist, it was revealed here on Monday [April 24].

About six gunmen, including at least one Eastern Nigerian solider took over the plane in mid-flight between Benin city, in Nigeria’s Mid-West Region, and Lagos on Sunday and forced it to fly to the Eastern Region’s capital of Enugu.

The plane’s passengers, who came back to Lagos on Monday night, said about six gunmen appeared as the plane approached Enugu and made them keep their seats at gun point.

The plane was surrounded by soldiers after landing at Enugu. Passenger’s luggage was searched and they were held overnight at a hotel. Efforts were made to stop them spreading news of the incident.

The passengers returned by road to Benin and completed the journey to Lagos by a special plane.

Nigerian Airways suspended flights to the East three weeks ago, following an edict by the Eastern Region Military Governor directing that all federal institution revenues be paid into the Eastern Region’s treasury.

Shortly afterwards, Nigerian Airways and the Eastern Region Government reportedly reached an agreement to resume flights and a D.C. 8 plane flew from Lagos to Port Harcourt but this plane was seized by the Eastern Authorities.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017