Nigerian Students Hijack Flight to Demand Democracy in 1993

On October 25, 1993, four Nigerian students—Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal—hijacked Nigeria Airways Flight 470, an Airbus A310, during a flight from Lagos to Abuja. Their objective was not robbery or conventional terrorism but to compel Nigeria's military-backed government to recognize Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as the rightful president following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The flight, carrying notable passengers including then Chinese Vice President Rong Yiren, was diverted to Niamey, Niger Republic for refueling. Upon landing, the hijackers, identifying themselves as members of the "Movement for the Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria," issued demands for the resignation of the interim military government and the reopening of investigations into the murder of journalist Dele Giwa and a 1992 Nigerian Air Force crash.

They threatened to set the aircraft on fire if their demands were not met within 72 hours.