The government
said yesterday that “we have not seen any controversial item on board
particularly arms and ammunition as well as dangerous equipment meant for
aggression.”Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, who announced the release
of the aircraft and its content at a press briefing, noted that the action
followed the receipt of correspondence from the French authorities in Paris
clearly identifying that the cargo on-board the aircraft duly originated from
the French government.Disclosing that the Nigerian Air Force was justified in
the detention of the aircraft, the CAS said: “From our records, we had no
record of clearance for an Antonov aircraft to operate into Kano. What we have
is a ‘block clearance’ which is diplomatic permits allowed for French aircraft
to land in our airport even at short notice. It is signed by the Foreign
Ministry which covers the aircraft.“But as soon as they landed in Kano, the
Nigeria Air Force had responsibility to ensure that only duly designated aircraft
are allowed. We also had to ensure that the seven banned items by the
international aviation bodies including toxic waste, nuclear material, bacteria
for chemical weapons and other dangerous substances were not on board.“The good
news is that having carried out the procedural checks on the basic information
and materials, we have not seen any controversial item aboard particularly
ammunition or weapons of war.Emphasizing that France has been a willing partner
in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and that the country has enjoyed good
bilateral relations with Nigeria, the Air Chief said: “By this briefing, we are
therefore releasing the aircraft and its cargo.”Also speaking at the occasion,
the French Defence Attaché’ to Nigeria, Colonel Marc Ombe Humbert, disclosed
that the aircraft was not carrying arms and ammunition but two Gazelle
helicopters for light liaison, gifts for French forces, a sports utility
vehicle and aircraft parts belonging to the French forces which were used in
operation in Central Africa Republic but were being sent to Ndjamena from where
they will be returned to France
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Politics