An international passenger aircraft operated by Qatar Airways was forced to make an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Friday night after developing a technical fault while airborne over Nigerian airspace, aviation authorities confirmed.

The aircraft, carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the fault during the flight, prompting the flight crew to issue a distress alert that immediately activated emergency response mechanisms at both the airport and state levels.

Swift Multi-Agency Emergency Response

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received the distress signal through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines and promptly implemented its emergency response plan.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that the Lagos Response Team, along with units from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and operatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), were placed on high alert along the runway in preparation for the aircraft’s arrival.

Despite “tense moments” as the aircraft descended, emergency officials noted that the situation was handled calmly and efficiently.

Professional Handling and Safe Landing

The pilot, guided by air traffic control and supported by emergency responders, executed a controlled landing on the runway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries or fatalities were reported, officials said.

Following the landing, the aircraft was initially checked on the runway by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the airport apron for more comprehensive inspections and necessary repairs.

LASEMA also confirmed that there was no significant damage to the airframe and recovery operations were concluded without further incident.

Reassurance to Travellers and Public Confidence in Aviation Safety

Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu used the occasion to reassure the public about the readiness of emergency management agencies in Lagos to respond to aviation contingencies, describing the successful outcome as evidence of effective coordination across multiple agencies.

“This incident demonstrates the preparedness of our response teams and the robustness of safety protocols at our airports,” he said in a statement.

Pending Technical Investigation

While the immediate crisis has been resolved, officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are expected to conduct a technical investigation to determine the precise cause of the fault and ensure compliance with international aviation safety standards.

Qatar Airways had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of this report.