The spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims was among those killed Sunday after a domestic jetliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Abuja.
Government officials say only a few of the 104 people on board survived.
They did not give a firm death toll but confirmed that Mohammadu Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto, was among the dead. His body was immediately taken for burial Sunday in Sokoto, where the governor has declared five days of mourning.
Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed condolences and ordered a full investigation into the crash, the nation's third major air disaster this year.
The Boeing 737 crashed a few kilometers from the end of the runway while taking off during bad weather. The flight, headed for Sokoto, was operated by A.D.C. (Aviation Development Corporation) airline.
Other dignitaries on the plane included the sultan's son, who was a senator, the deputy governor of Sokoto, and a son of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagary.
Government officials say only a few of the 104 people on board survived.
They did not give a firm death toll but confirmed that Mohammadu Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto, was among the dead. His body was immediately taken for burial Sunday in Sokoto, where the governor has declared five days of mourning.
Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed condolences and ordered a full investigation into the crash, the nation's third major air disaster this year.
The Boeing 737 crashed a few kilometers from the end of the runway while taking off during bad weather. The flight, headed for Sokoto, was operated by A.D.C. (Aviation Development Corporation) airline.
Other dignitaries on the plane included the sultan's son, who was a senator, the deputy governor of Sokoto, and a son of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagary.