Nigerian Plane Crash Kills Muslim Leader

(Abuja, Nigeria) Yesterday, a commercial Aviation Development Co. (ADC) plane crashed right after takeoff from Abuja airport, killing 99 people onboard. Seven people survived.

The Boeing 737 plowed into a farm about one mile from the runway. Reportedly, the weather was stormy, however, one official stated that he visited the crash site and described the condition of the plane as deplorable and it had bald tires.

Importantly, among those who died was the Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Muhammadu, also called Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido. The sultan was the traditional ruler of Northern Nigeria and the Muslim spiritual leader for Nigeria's 70 million followers of the religion of peace. The Governor of Sokoto declared six days of mourning for the sultan whose son also died in the crash.

The cause of the crash is unknown and under investigation. Notably, it appears that airplanes over Nigeria have a significant propensity for falling out of the sky. Yesterday's was the third crash in the last year for a nation which is about twice the size of California.