The Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, 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 Tinubu at international engagements, despite recent aborted flights.
The Vice President’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit was recently cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.
The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.
President Tinubu immediately approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the Samoa capital of Apia while the plane’s repair has commenced.
In a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the Speaker 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 United States government regarding the mishap, 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 Federal Government and reiterated gratitude to Allah for safeguarding Shettima and his crew in the incident.
