UAE says flydubai’s co-pilot hit pilot with axe in planned terrorist attack
The United Arab Emirates authorities have said a Flydubai co-pilot who stabbed captain Smit Machchar in an attempt to crash a plane carrying 170 passengers wanted to carry out a terrorist act.
The UAE’s Federal Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, in a statement published by WAM News Agency, the official state-run news agency of the UAE on Saturday, said investigations confirmed that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.
“Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney-General of the UAE, said investigations into the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 revealed that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act,” the report stated.
It added, “Al Shamsi said the co-pilot began executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said preliminary investigations established that the Flydubai co-pilot who stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane carrying about 170 passengers “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”
The prime minister said investigations were ongoing to unravel the motive of the pilot who stabbed his captain and almost downed Flydubai’s flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Israel, which made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Details are emerging on the identity of the terrorist Flydubai co-pilot.
Mutiple reports citing sources familiar with the investigation identified the rogue co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Oman citizen.
Mr Al-Hammani, 29, had first worked with Oman Air where he was sacked over extreme views and ideology, according to reports.
A check on LinkedIn confirmed he worked with Oman Air before joining Flydubai, which he attempted crashing its plane with over 170 passengers on Wednesday.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Obasanjo, Jonathan, Gowon mourn, pay tributes to ex-Aso Villa chaplain William Okoye
“Nigeria will miss you. Your family will miss you. The church will miss you. You stood for integrity,” Mr Jonathan said.
States
Navy uncovers Rivers’ illegal refining site, dismantles three storage tanks
Mr Folorunsho said the site was discovered on September 30, following credible intelligence.
Heading 3
You’ve justified my confidence in you, Tinubu hails EFCC for anti-graft efforts
Mr Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to preventive frameworks in tackling corruption in the country.
Showbiz
Nollywood actress Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha loses father
“No matter how many years we are given with a parent, we still want one more conversation, one more embrace, one more day,” she said.
Africa
Uganda ends yellow fever entry requirement for travellers
The statement noted that the yellow fever vaccination certificate was not listed among the requirements on Uganda’s e-visa application portal.
States
2027: Tinubu’s Door-to-Door group launches campaign vehicles, posters in Yobe
The group distributed the vehicles and campaign materials at the 27th August Stadium in Damaturu.
