How Four Nigerian Teens Hijacked a Plane to Demand Democracy in 1993

October 1993. Four Nigerian teenagers seized a Nigerian Airways Airbus A310 mid-flight from Lagos to Abuja. Their target was clear: force recognition of the annulled June 12 election and restore true democracy. Using toy guns, Richard Ogunderu, Benneth Oluwadaisi, Kabir Adenuga, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal took control at 30,000 feet. They planned to refuel and fly to Frankfurt but had to land in Niamey. There, they released hostages and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the restoration of democracy, press freedom, and the dissolution of the interim government. After three tense days, authorities stormed the plane. One crew member died and several were injured. The four teens spent over nine years in harsh detention before their release in 2002. This remains one of the most daring and symbolic acts in Nigeria’s fight for democratic rule.

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