PROBE into the circumstances surrounding the landing and take-off of an aircraft on the road in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State, recently, continued, even as Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) denied reports suggesting that the plane, with registration number N989BC, belonged to Dunamis International Gospel Centre, otherwise known as Dunamis Church.

    CCYF, in a statement, Friday, June 12, recalled that the church had consistently maintained that it did not own a private aircraft, despite having the capacity to acquire one for gospel outreach purposes, if needed.

    A source in the church also dismissed such claims, saying: “The church has never announced ownership of any aircraft. It is a lie; it is not registered in the name of Dunamis.

    “Members donate to him (Senior Pastor, Paul Enenche) to use when he wants to go for a special crusade. It is not owned by the church.”

    According to CCYF’s Convener, James Adama: “We further state clearly and unequivocally that the assertion is a fabrication and underscores the reckless misinformation being deliberately spread to mislead the public.
    “Spreading false information that harms the reputation of individuals, organisations, or institutions can constitute offences under Nigerian law.

    “This disclaimer serves as formal notice to the general public to discard the said publication as false, fallacious and malicious.

    “Therefore, we urge media outlets, bloggers and individuals to verify information from official sources before publication to avoid legal consequences.

    “The church reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies against those who knowingly disseminate false information intended to cause reputational harm.”

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had on Thursday, June 11, obtained the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the aircraft.

    According to the Bureau, an investigative team was immediately dispatched to the scene after notification of the occurrence, in line with established emergency response procedures for air accidents and serious incidents. 

    NSIB’s Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jnr., said the prompt recovery of the Bombardier Challenger CL-601 private jet recorders would play a significant role in uncovering the sequence of events that culminated in the incident. 

    “The NSIB acted promptly following the occurrence on June 10, 2026. The immediate deployment of our investigative Go Team and the swift recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are critical steps that will help establish the facts of this incident.”

    Badeh stated that investigators were examining multiple aspects of the flight, including aircraft operations, maintenance records, air traffic control communications and other technical documentation linked to the aircraft and the journey. 

    The Bureau said officials were also expected to interview crew members and other relevant personnel as part of efforts to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the occurrence, in collaboration with relevant aviation authorities and stakeholders, under the provisions of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, and in accordance with international standards prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). 

    It confirmed that all required notifications had been issued to the appropriate national and international authorities, in line with global aviation investigation protocols, adding that additional information would be released to the public as the investigation progressed and significant findings emerge.

    Investigation would include analysis of the recovered flight recorders, examination of technical and operational records and interviews to ascertain the true cause of the action.

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded the aircraft upon its return to Lagos, pending the outcome of investigations.

    Meanwhile, the Authority said preliminary reports indicated that the aircraft conducted a missed approach while attempting to land at Asaba airport, and subsequently departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval.

    In a statement on Friday, Accountable Manager of the airline, Oluwaseun Ayodeji, said the incident occurred after the flight crew aborted an unstable approach into Asaba airport, adding: “The aircraft departed Lagos and during its initial approach into Asaba Airport, the flight crew determined that the approach was unstable leading to a discontinued approach.

   “In accordance with established aviation safety procedures, the crew conducted another approach, but eventually landed on the roadway parallel to the Asaba runway.”

    Ayodeji said VMO Aero was constructively engaging with the NSIB, NCAA and other relevant authorities to support a review of the occurrence and implementation of any necessary actions.

The official confirmed that nobody was injured during the incident and that no damage was recorded to any property, while the aircraft subsequently returned safely to Lagos.

    “We appreciate the seriousness with which the authorities view any event that may affect the integrity of flight operations and compliance with regulatory requirements and we regret any inconveniences caused to the general public,” Ayodeji said.

    The statement noted that VMO Aero remained committed to safety, regulatory compliance and operational responsibility, and would continue to cooperate with aviation regulatory bodies to ensure a satisfactory conclusion of the matter.

    The aircraft reportedly took off from the location about 11:02a.m. and only informed air traffic control after it was already airborne.

    A statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident and actions taken by the crew afterwards.

    He, therefore, ordered an immediate investigation after receiving a briefing on the incident, describing it as a major regulatory and security concern.

    The aircraft reportedly took off from the location about 11:02a.m. and only informed air traffic control after it was already airborne.

    “In addition, the minister has been in contact with the relevant security agencies and has received assurances that the flight crew is currently in their custody and is fully cooperating with ongoing investigations.”

      Among them is the 70-year-old Pakistani pilot, whose age reportedly violates the maximum flight age limit for operating aircraft in Nigeria.

    Humorously, Minister of works, Dave Umahi, said the concrete road construction across the country has turned out to be the saving grace, providing the troubled aircraft the opportunity to land and successfully take off thereafter.

    His media aide, Francis Nwaze, said: “What could have ended in tragedy is now a story of survival. All crew members on board escaped without injury.”

    It has been gathered on planespotters.com, database of the global aircraft fleet, that the airplane carries a United States (US) registration mark: N989BC.

    Besides, it has a valid Serial Number 5021 with Canada Air Limited as manufacturer and a certificate issue date, indicating May 02, 2026.

The model CL-600-2B16 expiration date is February 28, 2033, as a fixed wing multi-engine turbo fan.

    Data from planespotters.com indicate that the airplane was manufactured in 1988, but details of its operations in Nigeria remains sketchy.

The regulatory agency was yet to identify the operator, simply saying its permit for non-commercial flight has been suspended.