Security agents at the Aminu Kano
International Airport yesterday seized a large cache of Russian made war
weapons, including spare parts for Hilux vans, destined for neighbouring Chad
Republic.
The items were being transported in a Russian cargo plane
– Antonov 224 .
The plane and its crew were also arrested.
The security agencies have already begun investigation into the
matter.
The plane, The Nation learnt, was on its way to Ndjamena, Chad
but could not land there owing to bad weather.
Its pilot then sought permission from the Nigerian aviation
authority to land in Kano until there would be an improvement in the weather
situation in Chad.
Permission was duly granted at about 2am yesterday.
Once the plane landed, security operatives asked for the
manifest from the pilot for screening only to discover that the aircraft was
carrying weapons of war.
The aircraft with registration number AN 124-100-RAH 2038 was
still being detained at the airport at press time.
Security agencies are interested in knowing the owners of the
arms cache.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that a vigilant
staff from the Air Force Intelligence Unit intercepted the plane.
A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “When the
plane landed, everyone went about his normal business at the airport.
“But the Air Force Intelligence personnel braved all odds and
insisted on the inspection of the Russian cargo plane. During the inspection,
he discovered a cache of arms and ammunition which was being ferried to Chad.
“Parts of vehicles to be re-assembled in Ndjamena were also
discovered. He immediately reported the findings at the Air Force Commandant
Office at the airport. The Airport Commandant, Wing Commander Imoke ordered
full inspection of the aircraft.
“The crew members were subsequently relocated to the
Commandant’s office for detention and grilling. The development led to the
drafting of more intelligence officers from the Army, the Department of State
Security Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Police.
“After the red alert to relevant agencies in Abuja, the Brigade
Commander of the Nigerian Army, the Director of SSS and the Commissioner of
Police visited the airport and inspected the cargo plane.”
It was not immediately clear if the arms and ammunition were
meant for either the Chadian government or any group or arms merchants based in
Chad.
Another military source said last night that: “The intercepted
plane and the crew members have not been released. We will not rush into doing
so until full investigation has been concluded.
“We are inspecting relevant documents in the possession of the
crew of the plane in order to be able to track down the sources of the arms and
find out whether the transaction is legitimate or illegal.
“We will also establish diplomatic link with the Chadian
government to ascertain if it actually ordered the importation of the arms and
ammunition.
“We will be as fast as possible in the ongoing investigation.”
Confirming the seizure, the General Manager, Communications of
the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Datti, declined to
disclose the contents of the aircraft to reporters.
Land locked Chad borders Borno State, the epicentre of the
terror group Boko Haram.
Insurgents of the sect often cross the Nigeria/Chad border,
attacking innocent Nigerians.
President Goodluck Jonathan has visited Ndjamena twice in the
last three months to seek the co-operation of the Chadian authorities to curb
the Boko Haram terrorism.
Only last week a delegation of Bring Back Our Girls which is
pressing for the release of the over 200 Chibok girls captured by the sect
visited the Chadian envoy in Nigeria to appeal to the authorities in his
country to help in getting the girls released. Meanwhile, the Defence
Headquarters yesterday confirmed that troops foiled a fresh attempt by Boko
Haram to take over Ashaka town in Gombe State.
The DHQ said 10 soldiers died in the encounter with the
insurgents while many Boko Haram terrorists were killed.
It explained that following defeat, Boko Haram ran away with
three truckloads of bodies of their members killed.
The DHQ tweeted that: “Terrorists fleeing Ashaka on Thursday
managed to retrieve three truckloads full of their dead members following the
defeat and heavy casualty they suffered after a fierce battle with troops in
the area.
“The terrorists, who had come in large number with heavy
equipment and convoy of over 30 vehicles and a number of motor cycles, were on
a mission to take control of Ashaka town, after they had operated in Bajoga and
environ in Gombe state.
“Troops who got wind of their intention to overrun other towns
pursued the terrorists while some also laid ambush for them. The terrorists
were forced to abandon the mission when the troops proved unyielding.
“Most of the vehicles and equipment used by the terrorists for their
mission were destroyed before they chose to flee the location.
“Over 10 soldiers however died in the battle while those who
were wounded are being treated in military hospitals.”
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