In the annals of our nation’s quest for democracy, there lies a story both significant and shamefully neglected. Today, June 12th, is the perfect day to revive this tale, ensuring our younger generations understand the sacrifices made for the democratic freedoms they enjoy today.
On October 25, 1993, a remarkable incident unfolded when four Nigerian teenagers, driven by discontent, hijacked a Nigerian Airways Airbus A310. The flight, originally destined for Abuja from Lagos, was redirected to Niamey, Niger Republic.
These teenagers were Richard Ogunderu, 19, Kabir Adenuga, 18, Benneth Oluwadaisi, 20, and Kenny Rasaq Lawal, 19—all students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). Their bold act was a protest against the annulment of the June 12 elections by General Ibrahim Babangida, the then military Head of State.
The hijackers boarded the flight alongside other unsuspecting passengers. Approximately 16 minutes before landing, as the seatbelt signs illuminated, the tranquility of the cabin was shattered.
The leader, Richard Ogunderu, announced through the intercom, “Ladies and gentlemen, this plane has been taken over by the Movement for the Advancement of Democracy. Remain calm, we will not harm you. You will be told where the plane will land. Do not move or you die.”
Ogunderu, with another hijacker, entered the cockpit, compelling the pilot to alter their course to Germany. The pilot, citing insufficient fuel for the transatlantic journey, suggested Niamey as an alternative. The hijackers, primarily seeking international attention for their cause, agreed to this diversion.
Upon landing in Niamey, the plane was surrounded by a formidable force of Nigerien soldiers. The hijackers had already distributed pamphlets among passengers, demanding the reversal of the June 12 election annulment. They gave the Nigerian government a 72-hour ultimatum to comply or face the threat of the plane being set ablaze.
To demonstrate their reluctance to harm innocents, the hijackers released 34 of the 193 passengers, including high-ranking Nigerian officials. In a crucial moment, Ogunderu communicated with a BBC correspondent, articulating their mission: to actualize the democratic mandate given to M.K.O. Abiola by the Nigerian people.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Nigerian government dispatched 24 delegates to negotiate, yet none ventured aboard the aircraft. Instead, the delegates remained in a nearby hotel, urging the hijackers to disembark.
Negotiations dragged on as the hijackers claimed to have rigged the plane with explosives. Over three days, both hijackers and passengers survived on coffee and biscuits. When water supplies ran out, a passenger’s plea for water provided the soldiers with an opportunity. Under the guise of delivering provisions, the soldiers realized the hijackers were unarmed and launched a nighttime assault on the plane.
The four teenagers were swiftly apprehended, their hands bound behind their backs, and were transported to prison cells. Language barriers compounded their isolation, as they spoke neither Hausa nor French, and no attempts were made to communicate with them in English. For days, they were denied food.
Incarcerated in Niamey for nine years, they were released in 2001. During their imprisonment, the Nigerian government showed no interest in their extradition, preferring to keep them away to avoid their becoming symbols of resistance for Nigerian youths.
These teenagers epitomized the spirit of the Nigerian youth in 1993—intelligent, bold, patriotic, and courageous. They believed in their mission to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of military tyranny, risking their lives for the greater good. Their actions were a testament to their unyielding spirit and willingness to sacrifice for their country.
Even as teenagers, they displayed the valor of seasoned warriors, embodying a profound sense of duty and bravery. Their story is a poignant reminder of the lengths to which ordinary citizens will go to defend democracy and justice.
— John Faluyi
