Seven people have died after a Nigerian military plane crashed short of a runway in the capital Abuja on Sunday morning, according to officials.

The Nigerian Air Force plane had reported engine failure, the military spokesman tweeted.

The plane was on the way to Minna, in the northern state of Niger to try to rescue 42 people who had been kidnapped.

The chief of air staff has ordered an immediate investigation.

In a series of tweets, the air force asked the public to “remain calm & await the outcome of investigation”.