FG Orders Release Of Seized French Antonov Aircraft

The federal government has ordered the release of the controversial Russia-made but French owned Antonov aircraft, which was impounded on Saturday at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Nigeria, enroute to N’Djamena, Chad. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Adesola Amosu, disclosed this on Monday at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja, during a joint press conference with the French Defence Attaché (DA) to Nigeria, Col. Marc Humbert. Amosu said although Nigeria and France have a year-long arrangement called ‘Block Clearance’, whereby both countries’ aircraft are allowed to land or use the airspace under certain conditions, the seized aircraft did not follow proper procedure required in the arrangement. He noted that NAF and other relevant agencies took the right, the most preemptive and proactive step by impounding the aircraft for proper investigation, owing the current situation of global terrorism of which Nigeria is facing as its own local challenge in the North-east that borders both Chad and Niger Republic. The Air Force Chief insisted that Nigerian acted in the right direction by not allowing the situation to slip-by given the circumstances. He further assured that having concluded the necessary investigation and satisfied that what was on the aircraft did not violate the agreement of Block Clearance with the French government, Nigeria would be ordering the release of the air craft to head to its final destination in Chad. Not just Nigeria, he said, but all Air Forces of other nations have this responsibility that duly designated aircraft are allowed. According to him, NAF “did exactly what we needed to do, but we did not get adequate clarification from the crew. One of the issues has to do with language, which is not new, it happens in some situations. Fielding questions from journalists, Amosu said: “This is what we expect from the international community,” adding that since it’s a global war on terrorism; every nation should rise up to it. Also speaking, Humbert denied the allegations that the aircraft was carrying weaponry and other materials in violation of the Block Clearance arrangement. He said: “There were no weapons on the two helicopters, no arms, no weaponry, one vehicle, and the spare parts for the helicopters, and for the fan, there was some Christmas gifts for the soldiers to lift their spirit in Ndjamena. Speaking further, Humbert explained that, “the flight was intended to go from Bangui to Ndjamena, adding that the problem was when they were approaching Ndjamena, the airport was too busy and the run way was not available for landing. Consequently, he noted that the thing is that when you are in such an emergency flight, you don’t have to wait to be cleared with the embassy before you take a decision.  

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