Delta Drama: FG Makes Arrest as Aircraft That Landed on Road Is Linked to Popular Pastor
- The Dunamis International Gospel Centre was reportedly linked as the owner of the aircraft that suddenly landed on a concrete road under construction in Ogwashi-Uku, around Asaba, the Delta state capital, on Wednesday, June 10
- Sources privy to the investigation disclosed that the NCAA had been able to establish the country where the aircraft was first registered, while mentioning the aviation rules it violated
- The sources further explained that the pilot was arrested for violating the age limit to fly an aircraft in Nigeria, and the infraction was expected to be taken to court soon
The private aircraft that suddenly landed on a road in Ogwashi-Uku, around Asaba, the Delta state capital, on Wednesday, June 10, is reportedly owned by the Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
Sources privy to the ongoing probe of the incident said that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) allegedly confirmed that the private aircraft was registered in the US in the name of Dunamis, the church headed by Pastor Paul Enenche.
Source: Twitter
According to The Cable, the aircraft was brought to Nigeria to operate on a non-commercial flight (PNCF) permit. Aviation rules state that this term means the aircraft was not supposed to be used as a private charter, and alleged that these conditions were violated.
It was also reported that the aircraft had operated under the name of Mounthill Ltd before switching its operatorship to UMO Ltd in 2025 so that it could get the PNCF permit, which the federal government issued before the incident.
It was also learned that the UMO is owned by a member of the church, Mike Olaoye. The pilot, identified as Chris Baca, a Pakistani national, has been arrested for violating the age limit under aviation rules.
Baca is said to be 70 years old, which is five years above the maximum age limit for a pilot to operate in Nigeria. The Cable further reported that the infraction would attract criminal prosecution.
Legit.ng could not independently verify the claims regarding the ownership of the aircraft at the time of filing this report.
Nigerians react as Delta aircraft is linked to Dunamis Church
The news has, however, started generating mixed reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Isaac Junior claimed the church did not own an aircraft:
"Just to be clear, DUNAMIS CHURCH has no private jet or aircraft. Even Pastor Enenche's message last month about how he suffered and was stranded in London while on Air France is in the public space. Cable can do their investigation that DUNAMIS & PAUL ENENCHE has not Aircraft."
Source: Twitter
SmartNG suspected politics behind the move:
"He’s been speaking against the government, so add one or two together, and you will get whatever answer you need."
Olanrewaju Michael criticised the pastor:
"A church pastor owns a private jet. What business are they doing with it? They’ll climb their altar and rant about how Nigerians are hungry but still extort from the same Nigerians for luxury. Woo, maybe I should mind my business before they come to build camp under my own comment."
BlueBlood wrote:
"Simple research of the tag on the plane would have informed you that this is false and it doesn’t belong to him or the church. That’s a Canadian /american registered airline."
You can read more comments on the report on X here:
Aviation minister speaks on being sacked
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has raised an alarm over the possibility of being sacked.
The minister raised the alarm during his visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja on Friday, March 13.
According to Keyamo, the implementation of the cashless policy at some Nigerian airports has come to stay and that he would sack people before the president sacks him.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
