Borno Speaker Calls for New Aircraft Amid Concerns Over Vice President Shettima’s Safety
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has expressed deep concern regarding the safety of Vice President Kashim Shettima following a recent incident involving his aircraft in the United States. Lawan emphasized that the aging and allegedly faulty presidential jet used by Shettima poses a significant risk, and he is urging the Nigerian government to secure a new, safer aircraft for the vice president’s official travels.
The incident reportedly took place during a stopover at New York’s JFK Airport, where a “foreign object” hit Shettima’s aircraft, damaging the cockpit windscreen and other essential parts. This unexpected damage forced Shettima to cancel his scheduled trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa, raising questions about the reliability of the current presidential fleet.
In a statement issued from Maiduguri on Sunday, October 27, Lawan expressed his relief that Shettima and his team returned unharmed. He also extended his sympathy to the Office of the Vice President, as well as to the flight crew and staff affected by the incident. “I sympathize with the Nigerian government and the Vice President’s office over this unfortunate event at JFK Airport,” Lawan stated, calling for a “thorough and timely investigation” by U.S. authorities to understand how such an incident could happen at one of the world’s most secure airports.
Lawan further emphasized the urgency of replacing the outdated jet, highlighting that continuing to use the old aircraft could put the lives of the vice president and his team in jeopardy. “The vice president and his officials face an unnecessary risk each time they travel on this aging plane,” Lawan warned, adding that acquiring a new aircraft is essential to prevent potential future air mishaps.
