The crash of a commercial airliner moments after takeoff in Abuja left seven survivors and 98 people dead, including the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims, Nigerian newspapers reported Monday.
Flight 053 from Abuja to Sokoto on ADC airlines was carrying 100 passengers and five crew members on a Beoing 737 when it went down Sunday in bad weather.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammadu Maccido, who presided over Nigeria’s Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, was among those killed, Sokoto State spokesman Mustapha Sheu said.

Nigeria’s aviation minister held a press conference early Monday, announcing that authorities had declared three days of national mourning.
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