The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has explained why United Airlines chose to make an air return to Nigeria.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abdullahi Musa, NAMA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, said the decision to return to Nigeria was made by the pilot based on his assessment of the situation and the perceived safety of landing at the departure airport.

United Airlines said it was cooperating with U.S. and Nigerian investigators to determine what exactly happened on the flight.

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A United Airlines flight from Africa to Washington D.C. had to turn around on Thursday after a "technical issue" caused "unexpected aircraft movement," the airline said.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the NTSB said that it was investigating the January 24 incident involving a United Airlines Boeing 787-8, registered as N27903, which was operating flight UA613 from Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport (LOS) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The authorities in Nigeria said that the United Airlines plane had to return to Lagos after the episode. Six people were treated at a hospital, officials said.

In an update, Nigerian officials said an additional 27 passengers and 5 crew members suffered minor injuries in the incident. In all, 38 were hurt.

Six people were taken to hospital with injuries but have been discharged, United Airlines said.

It is unclear what caused the jolt; United Airlines has said the cause was not severe turbulence, and that it is “working with aviation authorities in the US and Nigeria to understand the cause.”

The plane headed back to Nigeria after experiencing "unexpected movement" mid-flight on Friday, Jan. 24, according to multiple reports