The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has raised alarms regarding the safety of Vice-President Kashim Shettima. He emphasized that the aircraft designated for the Vice President is in poor condition, which poses a significant risk to his life during official travels.
Lawan’s concerns came to light following Shettima’s cancellation of his trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa. This decision was made after an incident occurred at an airport in New York, where a foreign object struck the plane during a stopover at JFK Airport.
According to a statement from the presidency, this incident prevented Shettima from continuing his journey to Samoa. The damage inflicted on the aircraft included parts of the cockpit windscreen, highlighting the serious nature of the situation.
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Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the details of the incident, underscoring the need for immediate attention to the aircraft’s condition. The damage raised questions about the safety protocols in place for high-ranking officials.
In a statement issued from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Lawan expressed his sympathy for the Nigerian Government and particularly for the office of the Vice President, his crew, and staff affected by the unfortunate event at JFK Airport.
Lawan also conveyed his gratitude to Allah (God) for the safe return of Vice President Shettima and all those onboard the aircraft involved in the incident. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences it could have had.
The Speaker urged the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation into the incident, especially since it occurred at one of the most secure airports in the world. He stressed the importance of understanding how such an event could happen.
Lawan pointed out that the life of the Vice President, along with that of his crew and officials, remains at risk while using the aging and faulty presidential aircraft. He highlighted the urgent need for a replacement to prevent further mishaps.
In conclusion, Lawan’s call for a new aircraft for Shettima is not just about improving comfort but ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s leadership during their official duties. He emphasized that the government must prioritize the well-being of its officials to avoid any future tragedies.
This situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining the safety of aircraft used by government officials, particularly in light of recent incidents that have raised concerns about their reliability.
