The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has asserted that the safety of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, is jeopardized due to the “defective” presidential aircraft he utilizes.
Recall that Shettima was compelled to cancel his attendance at the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa after an incident occurred at an airport in New York, United States.
The Presidency has confirmed that a “foreign object” struck his plane during a layover at JFK Airport in New York.
Several components of the aircraft, including the cockpit windscreen, sustained damage as a result of the incident.
However, in a statement released in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Sunday, Lawan urged the Nigerian Government to acquire a new jet for Shettima.
He said: “I want to sympathize with the Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport in New York, U.S.A.
“I also express my gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the precious life of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and those on board the ill-fated VP’s plane, even as I urge the Nigerian government to demand a thorough and timely investigation from the United States government over the incident that affected Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plane at one of the most secure spots in the World.
“The life of the Vice President and that of his crew/officials stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft.
“Therefore, there is an urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrences of air mishaps.”
