- By Kamil Opeyemi
A controversy is brewing over the real cause of a near aviation incident as Nigerian Governor Thinks The Plane Was Tampered With
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state on Sunday alleged that there was an attempt to cause his plane to crash having been compromised before take off sometimes last week.
This was just as the Governor confirmed the reported near crash which happened when loud explosions were heard in the engines of the private jet forcing the flight to be aborted at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
In a statement by Olawale Rasheed, spokesman to the Governor, the claims by the owners of the hanger that the incident was caused by birds’ strike was untenable.
“Birds’ nests are made with straws, not bidding wires as in this case,” he said in the statement.
According to him, the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.
“An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.
“Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.
“We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane.
“The Governor expressed his deep appreciation to well wishers and supporters who have been calling since the report of the incident. Mr. Governor is hale and hearty,” the statement explained further
The private, a Bombadier Global Express 6000 was said to be worth over $62m in 2020 when the head of the family, Dr. Deji Adeleke bought it. He had reportedly bought another plane in 2018, said to be worth $35 million.
Seen as a family plane, it is often used by his son, Davido and Governor Adeleke.