A cargo aircraft operated by Allied Air has crash-landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (NAIA) after one of its landing gears failed, TheCable understands.

The aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT crash-landed on Wednesday at about 10:00am and had six crew members on board.

“Fortunately, no casualties were recorded,” a source privy to the incident said.

“The crew members were promptly evacuated and are currently undergoing medical assessments at the 063 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) medical unit.

“Emergency responders acted swiftly to secure the crash site, cordoning off the area under the supervision of the Military Airport Commandant (MAC) and other relevant agencies.”

The insider said the airport’s runway has been temporarily closed and that has led to delays of inbound and outbound flights.

Efforts are now under way by airport authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to remove the aircraft and inspect the runway for potential damage, it was learnt.

The coalition of health sector unions in Lagos State on Wednesday began a three-day warning strike over non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The unions include the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Oloruntoba Odumosu, Secretary of NANNM, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), insisted that the strike would hold following the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions.

Odumosu disclosed that a meeting of the union leaders with state government officials on Dec. 9 also ended in an impasse.

“The government officials couldn’t give us a clear timeline for implementing our demands, and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment.

“We reported the feedback to the Congress, which was ongoing at our secretariat, and it unanimously voted ‘No,’ insisting on proceeding with the strike,” he said.

He complained that the matter had lingered for long, despite numerous attempts by the unions to resolve it amicably.

“However, it has become clear that the government does not accord the issue the seriousness it deserves.

“Engagement on Dec. 2 with the Ministry of Establishments and Training further reinforced our concerns as the meeting failed to provide clarity on the computation method for the adjustment.

“This is particularly concerning given that Lagos State does not operate the full CONHESS structure, nor did it yield a definite timeline for payment.

“This is especially disheartening as adjustments have already been implemented for doctors since October 2024.

“This approach, which prioritises some segments of the health workforce while neglecting others, is divisive and undermines the collective morale of health professionals in the state,” he said.

Odumosu regretted that the government appears ‘indifferent’ to addressing their legitimate demands in spite of the critical roles played by members of the unions in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to Lagos residents.

“The handling of this matter has left us with no other choice but to resort to this warning strike, spanning from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13.

“It is aimed at pressing home our demands for the full implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for all eligible health workers in Lagos state,” he said.

Similarly, Kamaldeen Kabiawu, State Secretary, NUAHP, decried the delayed implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment, especially after the government approved a 35 per cent CONMESS adjustment for doctors in October 2024.

NAN reports that the strike will affect all state-owned health facilities—Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), general hospitals, and primary health centres (PHCs).

Members of the unions include nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, medical laboratory scientists, optometrists, and radiographers.

Others are dental therapists, medical physicists, health information managers, clinical psychologists, and medical social workers. (NAN)

Atsi, a sister of Kefas Agbu, governor of Taraba state, has died from a gunshot injury.

Timothy Kataps, secretary to the state government of Taraba, confirmed her demise to TheCable on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, it is true, may her soul rest in peace,” Kataps said in a text message.

Atsi was said to have sustained the gunshot injury after gunmen attacked a convoy she was in. A police officer reportedly shot her while trying to fend off an attack by the gunmen on Thursday.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said troops evacuated both Jumai and Atsi from the scene with the use of an air ambulance.

The deceased was in a vehicle with Jummai, the mother of the governor, when the incident occurred in Wukari.

She was immediately taken to the federal university teaching hospital in Wukari, after which she was flown to the federal capital territory (FCT) for further treatment.

She died in Abuja.