Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The private jet that was forced to land on a concrete road near Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday belongs to the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, headed by Pastor Paul Enenche, and the 70-year-old Pakistani pilot has been arrested for being five years above Nigeria’s legal age limit, TheCable can report exclusively.
Investigations by TheCable reveal that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has established that the aircraft involved in the incident is registered in the United States in the name of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, a church whose senior pastor is the well-known televangelist Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche. The aircraft was brought into Nigeria to operate under a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). Under the terms of the permit, the jet was not supposed to be used for private charter, a condition that is now believed to have been violated.
Further findings show that until 2025, the aircraft operated under the name Mounthill Ltd but switched operatorship to UMO Ltd in order to obtain the PNCF permit. UMO Ltd is owned by Mike Olaoye, a member of the Dunamis Church. The PNCF permit has now been suspended by the NCAA in the wake of the incident. The Nigerian government has also indicated that criminal prosecution will follow the infractions.
The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in the Ogwashi-Uku area near Asaba. According to the NCAA, the aircraft was attempting to land at Asaba Airport when it conducted a missed approach at about 7:43 a.m.. It subsequently landed on a roadway under construction in the area, to the bewilderment of local residents, a moment captured in viral videos on social media.
A video that circulated online showed the jet stationary on the roadway before taxiing and eventually taking off. The aircraft, which had four crew members on board, later departed the location and returned to Lagos without obtaining the required regulatory approval. The NCAA stated that Air Traffic Control was notified only after the aircraft had become airborne, an action it described as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
In a significant twist, TheCable understands that the pilot, identified as Chris Baca, a Pakistani national, has been arrested over the incident. The arrest is connected to alleged breaches of the aviation age limit, as the pilot is said to be 70 years old, which is five years above the age limit for pilots operating in Nigeria. All four crew members on board the flight were reported to have safely exited the aircraft and were transported to Asaba by road, with no injuries recorded.
Upon learning of the incident, the NCAA took immediate action. The authority disclosed that it has formally reported the occurrence to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for a comprehensive independent investigation. The NCAA has also grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of investigations and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) while inquiries continue. The flight crew has been placed under regulatory review. The regulator stated that it will review all operational, airworthiness, maintenance and flight-related records as part of its statutory responsibilities and will take further enforcement action where necessary in line with aviation regulations.
While the ownership has been traced to the church, a source identified as "Isaac Junior" on a forum claimed that the church has denied owning the aircraft, stating: "Just to be clear, DUNAMIS CHURCH has no private jet or aircraft". However, the weight of evidence from TheCable’s investigation and official regulatory findings contradicts this statement. The aircraft ownership has now been formally traced to the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, a church with a significant national and international following, known for its large gatherings and media presence. The incident has raised serious questions regarding the regulation of private flights, the approval of non-commercial flight permits, and the enforcement of safety protocols within the Nigerian aviation sector.
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