Dana Air Crash: “We still don’t question God and we won’t” – Families honour departed loved ones on 10th anniversary

Family members of victims of the ill-fated Dana Air Flight 9J 922 that crashed on June 3, 2012, have marked the 10th anniversary of the tragic incident.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft which took off from Abuja suffered a dual-engine failure during its approach to Lagos. It failed to reach its intended destination and crashed onto buildings in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos, killing all 153 people on board and six on the ground.

A legal practitioner and former governorship aspirant in Imo State, Ike C. Ibe, who lost his wife Nancy Echendu and daughter Uzoma Jennifer, took to Facebook on Friday, June 3, to honour them.

“TEN YEARS IN THE CLOUDS. It’s exactly ten years today since my dearest wife Nancy and my loving daughter Jennifer transited into heaven. We still don’t question God and we won’t. It’s still a miracle that we found the strength to keep faith. Jessica and I, and the entire Ibe and Okwulehie families keep wondering what hit us. May God continue to be in absolute control. Nancy and Jennifer, Ora pro nobis” he wrote.

One of the most tragic stories from the ill-fated flight revolves around Maimuna Anyene, a U.S-based Nigerian woman, who died along with her husband, sister, her four kids, two cousins and her mother-in-law.

“In Loving Memory Of Bro Onyeka Anyene and Family. A man with a good heart, loving and caring for all the family members,” a family member, Nkechi Anyene, wrote.

“Whatever I am today it all started with Him. I remember him every blessed day in my life. He was always there for me. I remember when he always see my calls in the 15 mins I will receive an alert and he will tell.me not to tell anyone. He was a wonderful man. He carried everyone in the family along. Oh, death is wicked.

“The advice he gave me keeps me going till tomorrow. He was the best in the Anyene family. I will never forget all he has done. I will continue to respect his name even at he’s death. I know he’s in good hands with God. My hero, keep resting in the Abundance of God with your loving family. I love you all. We love you but God loves you more”

One Mike Ngala also remembers his father who died in the crash.

“DANA PLANE CRASH JUNE 3rd 2012. It’s exactly 10 Years since DANA PLANE CRASH took your life…. I wish you were alive to see what your Son is gradually turning into, the legacies you left speaks for you and I’m eventually stepping into those footprints you left for me to fit in….God has been faithful over the years…. We’ll forever miss you DAD…. Rest on DADDY. he wrote.

Ben Chux honoured a family member who was a crew member aboard the flight. “It’s exactly 10 years since that Dana plane crash took you away with all your unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. All who know you miss you dear coz. Continue to rest in peace Onyinye.”

Henry Nkemakolam Emeka was writing exams when he heard about the crash that claimed the life of his father, a top military officer.

“That day remains very fresh and indelible in my heart. I was writing my second semester exams that period. I had a paper that day, when I heard that Dana Airline aircraft that took off from Abuja just crashed somewhere in Iju-Ishaga axis of Lagos. “Jesus!” I screamed like a mad man and started crying. Everyone around me were asking, “Henry, what’s the problem?” “My big Daddy is in that plan, we spoke before he took off”. It wasn’t surprising that I had a very low grade in that day’s paper, because I was absent-minded while in the exam hall. I lost a big Daddy, a humble man, a friend and a kindhearted and soft-spoken military officer. Continue to rest in peace Commodore Datoru Abi-Kalio and all victims of Dana Plane Crash of 3rd June, 2012.”