Raging bush fire around the runway of the Ibadan Airport in Oyo State stopped our flight from landing at the airport, the former first lady, Benue State, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam has said.
Narrating the incidence, Mrs. Suswam said the experience was harrowing as it caused her flight to be cancelled on Wednesday,18th January, 2023.
She explained that: “There was bush burning, probably by the neighbouring village. Maybe they were hunting for rats or something, I cannot tell how the fire came. But there was bush burning along the runway and it went on for about two to three kilometres.”
“The aircraft that was coming from Abuja to pick us in Ibadan hovered for over 30 minutes and when the fire still raged, it returned back to Abuja. So, we had to go back home and we couldn’t fly that day” she narrated.
Confirming the incidence, Mrs. Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze, the Ag. General Manager, Corporate Affairs, said while it was true there was a fire around the runway, the fire was eventually brought under control.
She also said the incidence disrupted the Air Peace flight from Abuja to Ibadan. However, she said Overland was able to operate it’s flight later in the day when the fire was controlled.
She also said to forestall further occurrences, a fence is being built to condoned-off the tarmac.
