Borno speaker warns of Shettima’s safety over “faulty” presidential aircraft

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has raised concerns over the safety of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, urging the Federal Government to replace the aircraft designated for the country’s number two citizen due to recurring faults.

Lawan issued this warning in Maiduguri on Sunday following Vice President Shettima’s recent cancellation of a scheduled trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa.

Shettima had to abandon the journey after an incident at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York, where his aircraft was damaged by a foreign object during a stopover.

According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, parts of the vice-president’s plane, including the cockpit windscreen, were damaged at the JFK Airport, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Shettima’s onward journey.

In his statement, Lawan expressed relief that the incident did not result in any injuries but emphasized the urgency of addressing the recurring issues with the aircraft.

“I sympathize with the Nigerian Government, particularly the Office of the Vice President, his crew, and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport. I thank Allah for sparing the precious lives of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and everyone on board,” Lawan stated.

He further called on the Federal Government to demand a thorough investigation into the incident from the United States, given the security standards expected at one of the world’s most secure airports. Lawan also pressed for a replacement of the current vice-presidential aircraft, warning that Shettima and his officials were at risk of further mishaps.

“The life of the Vice President, along with his crew and officials, remains in danger while using this old and faulty presidential aircraft. It is urgent to provide Senator Kashim Shettima with a new plane to prevent future air mishaps,” Lawan stressed.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the condition of the vice-presidential aircraft. Earlier in the year, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended acquiring new planes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. However, only Tinubu’s aircraft was replaced, leading to public criticism over the decision.