October 29 in Nigerian History: ADC Plane Crash Kills Sultan of Sokoto, Son, 94 Others

On October 29, 2006, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto and the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s 70 million Muslims, died in a plane crash.

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The Sultan, 78, was among 96 persons killed when ADC Airlines Flight 053, a Boeing 737-200 en route from Abuja to Sokoto, crashed at 11:29 a.m. shortly after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The aircraft, with 105 souls on board, crashed in a corn field at Tungar Madaki village, near Abuja. It burst into flames.

Other prominent victims included Senator Badamasi Maccido, his son, representing Sokoto North, Dr. Nnanna Acholonu, first son of late Sen. Nnanna Acholonu among others.

Recall that the Sultan had met with President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja and was returning to Sokoto.

Only 9 persons survived, including a stewardess.

President Olusegun Obasanjo directed the Ministry of Aviation to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

The late Sultan was buried in Sokoto according to Islamic rites.

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