Borno State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has urged the Federal Government to procure a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima, citing safety concerns due to multiple technical issues with his current designated plane.
Lawan voiced concern over Shettima’s safety as he continues to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at international engagements, despite recent aborted flights.
In a recent incident on September 24, 2024, Shettima’s trip to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit was abruptly canceled when his plane, during a stopover at JFK Airport, suffered damage after being struck by a foreign object, impacting the cockpit windscreen. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of new aircraft for both the President and Vice President. However, only the President’s aircraft was replaced, leaving Shettima dependent on the older, malfunction-prone plane.
In a statement issued from Maiduguri, Speaker Lawan expressed relief that no harm came to Shettima or his team during the recent incident. He called for a “thorough and timely investigation” from the U.S. government regarding the mishap at JFK Airport, highlighting the potential security concerns even at one of the world’s most secure airports.
“The life of the Vice President and his team remains at risk with the continued use of an unreliable aircraft. I urge the Federal Government to prioritize acquiring a new plane for Vice President Shettima to prevent further incidents,” Lawan stated. He extended sympathy to the Nigerian government and reiterated gratitude to Allah for safeguarding Shettima and his crew in the incident.
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