Borno State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has called on the Federal Government to procure a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima due to safety concerns arising from multiple technical issues with his current designated plane.
Lawan emphasized the importance of Shettima’s safety, especially as he represents President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at international engagements, despite recent flight cancellations.
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On September 24, 2024, a significant incident occurred when Shettima’s trip to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit was abruptly called off. While on a stopover at JFK Airport, his plane was damaged after being struck by a foreign object, which impacted the cockpit windscreen.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recommended the purchase of new aircraft for both the President and Vice President. However, only the President’s aircraft was replaced, leaving Shettima reliant on the older, malfunction-prone plane.
In a statement from Maiduguri, Speaker Lawan expressed relief that no harm came to Shettima or his team during the recent mishap. He called for a “thorough and timely investigation” from the U.S. government regarding the incident 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 expressed gratitude to Allah for safeguarding Shettima and his crew during the incident.
