Wike Shares Near-Death Experience in Plane Incident: "I've Not Told My Wife Anything", Video Trends

• Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, has narrated how he survived an alleged plane crash recently en route to Lagos
• The minister, in a trending video, gave the testimony in a church, stating that he was travelling with two friends
• Wike said one of his friends lamented that he had not told his wife anything when they learned of the engine failure

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has narrated how he survived a plane crash, while giving a Thanksgiving at a church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital recently.

His voice was reportedly captured in a viral social media video showing the inside of an aeroplane, with the pilots speaking in the background and the minister seeming to be praying profusely.

Wike's jet reportedly experienced engine failure

According to Tell Magazine, the incident involved a Bombardier Global Express 5000/6000 series jet, which is valued at N15 billion. It allegedly experienced the sudden failure of the engine at an altitude of 34,000 feet.

The pilots were seen struggling to stabilise the aircraft as the presumed voice of Wike was invoking divine intervention, exclaiming 'Satan, you are a liar', 'Blood of Jesus! Father, it is time to prove yourself' and 'Save my soul, save my soul, save my soul!'

In a new video that has since emerged on social media, the minister was seen in a church explaining that he had gone to the air force base in Port Harcourt to board a plane to Lagos because there was someone he had to see on that day.

When did Wike's jet experience engine failure?

Wike then disclosed that 15 minutes after boarding the airline, he heard an unusual and unsettling sound, and he asked one of the air hostesses what the problem was.

The air hostess told him there was nothing to worry about and went to meet the pilot, but returned to inform him that one of the plane's engines had been damaged.

He further disclosed that one of the pilots suggested that they had to return to Port Harcourt because their journey to Lagos was too far. Thus, he could not meet the person he had planned on that fateful day.

The minister also disclosed that he was in the aircraft with two of his friends when the incident happened, and the only thing one of them could say was that 'I have not told my wife anything'.

The minister thanked God for landing safely. The video of his testimony before the church congregation about the incident and what had happened in the footage is below:

How air traffic control handles in-flight emergencies - Expert

Promise Orolisen, an astrophysicist and astronomer with past experience as an air traffic controller at Port Harcourt International Airport, has explained how air traffic control responds during emergencies, following the recent incident involving Minister Nyesom Wike, whose plane suffered engine failure shortly after takeoff.

“When air traffic control (ATC) receives pilot alert from an aircraft facing technical issues, often declaring an emergency, ATC acts swiftly by prioritising the aircraft, clearing the runway or rerouting to a suitable airport,” he told Legit.ng.

“During this process they maintain constant communication, providing navigation guidance, weather updates, and runway details.”

The ATC, he said, works with emergency crews and controls nearby air traffic to ensure a safe landing:

“Precise instructions guide the aircraft to a safe landing, followed by support for ground operations which includes medical services and fire fighters.”

‘PHC needs tech, training boost’ — Orolisen

Reflecting on the infrastructure at the Port Harcourt airport, Orolisen stated:

“Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC) has handled past incidents and with my view in Port Harcourt Airport in 2023, when compared to global hubs with advanced systems, PHC’s preparedness is modest and needs modern technology and better training to handle mid-air technical failures and match global standards.”

Tinubu urges Wike to focus on his mandate

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu urged Wike to remain solely focused on his ministerial duties.

The Nigerian leader stated this during the inauguration of the newly renovated international conference centre - the ICC.

At the same launch event, President Tinubu also declared that the ICC would no longer be available for citizens for free.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a geology expert for this report.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng