By Huldah Shado
Passengers aboard an Arik Air flight were thrown into panic on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after the aircraft reportedly suffered an engine failure mid-air, forcing an emergency landing at the Benin Airport in Edo State.
The plane had departed Lagos for Abuja when passengers said they heard a loud noise from one of the engines, followed by unusual vibrations.
Tension reportedly spread in the cabin as the aircraft lost altitude and the pilot announced a diversion to Benin.
The aircraft landed safely at about 3:45 p.m., with emergency officials on standby at the airport. No injuries were reported.
Airport authorities confirmed that the aircraft was grounded for technical assessment, while engineers began inspections to determine the cause of the malfunction.
As of Wednesday evening, Arik Air had not issued an official statement on the incident.
