Seized Antonov Aircraft: No Plans For Hurried Release

The seized Antonov 124 Russian-made aircraft
Determined to get to the very roots of the
seemingly intractable insurgency in parts of
Northern Nigeria, the Nigerian security has
vowed not to release the Antonov 124 Russian-
made aircraft detained at the Mallam Aminu
Kano International Airport, Kano until all
investigations are concluded.


Both the French and Russian embassies in Abuja
has released explanations concerning their
involvement in the saga.
Although the Russian embassy initially denied
that her country had anything to do with the
plane, it later admitted that it belonged to a
Russian firm but it had nothing to do with the
cargo.


French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques
Champagne de Labriolle, said in a statement on
Sunday that the Antonov plane had to divert to
Kano to refuel, and to take off again to reach
Njamena Airport.
He said the flight was covered by a diplomatic
clearance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Abuja and that the commercial plane was forced
to land at the Kano airport because of dense air
traffic at Ndjamena airport, Chad.

An exclusive fact made available to PRNigeria on
the matter have it that crew members of the
aircraft would be released to the Russian
Embassy in Abuja but that the explanations so
far given by the French Embassy concerning the
source and destination of the cargo were less
than convincing.

However, a top security source insisted “Nigeria
has no reason to release the aircraft and its
cargo until investigation is concluded.”
“In view of the evidence of active collaboration
with Boko Haram terrorists by some French
speaking neighbouring countries, it has become
pertinent for Nigeria to be conscious and be
more careful in these matters”, the source
declared.




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