The Russian government has denied that
the aircraft, filled with military hardware, arrested in Nigeria Saturday has
any link with Russia.
The Eastern European country said
through its embassy in Nigeria that the plane wasn’t Russian and had no link
with Russia.
“According to the information of the
Embassy, the detained in Kano plane, allegedly carrying military hardware on
board, is not Russian,” the Russia Embassy in Nigeria, tweeted via its handle @RusEmbNigeria
late Saturday.
Media reports had suggested Saturday
that the aircraft, now being detained at the Aminu Kano Airport in Kano,
originated from Russia.
The plane, loaded with arms, bullet
proof vests and a chopper, is believed to be on its way to neighbouring Chad,
when it was intercepted by Nigerian authorities.
Although it confirmed the aircraft was
being held and investigated, the military did not say where it originated from
and where it was headed.
“An Antonov Cargo aircraft carrying
some military hardware was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International
Airport in the early hours of Saturday 6th Dec. 2014,” the military tweeted via
its handle [@DefenceInfoNG].
“Investigation is ongoing to determine
the content and origin of the aircraft. Further details will be made as soon as
the investigation is completed.”
Security operatives at the Kano Airport
had seized the plane when it landed at the facility at about 2a.m. Saturday as
a result of technical problems.
Crew members of the airplane were
immediately detained while investigations continued, officials said.
“Security has since been beefed up at
the airport in order to ensure proper investigation,” the officials added.
The General Manager, Communications,
Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Yakubu Datti, confirmed the seizure
of the plane.
He said the pilot sought permission to
land at the airport after the plane developed problems.
“The plane had a technical problem and
the pilot sought (for) permission to land at the airport’’, he said.
Mr. Datti said security agencies had
since commenced investigation into the matter.
Security sources told PREMIUM TIMES the
plane was travelling to N’djamena, the capital of Chad.
PR Nigeria, an agency known for
distributing press statements on behalf of the Nigerian military, later
circulated a statement saying the aircraft contained “a chopper tucked in it”.
“… Intense investigation is ongoing
including using diplomatic means to unravel the mission of the aircraft, its
origin and destination,” the statement said.
This is the third time since 2009 that
planes loaded with arms would be arrested in Kano, our correspondent says.
The detained planes were later released
after investigations.
The destination of the latest aircraft
has however raised concerns amid increasing worries in Nigeria over Chad’s
alleged role in the Boko Haram insurgency plaguing Nigeria’s northeast.
Source:Premium Times
Tags
Society