Monday, December 8, 2014
Nigerian Army Release Detained Russian Plane "Carrying Arms" After France Claimed Ownership...+Ali Modu Sherrif's Secret Visit
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The Nigerian military has released the detained Russian cargo plane which they seized yesterday morning after France admitted ownership of the aircraft.
It said that the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, noting that the Autonov 124 Russian commercial plane was forced to land at the Kano airport because of dense air traffic at Ndjamena airport, Chad.
A statement from the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, on Sunday, stated that the Antonov plane had to divert to an alternate international airport and the closest airport facility being Kano, the Russian crew decided to fly there, to refuel, and to take off again to reach Njamena Airport.
He denied that the plane was carrying arms and ammunition, stressing that it was conveying two light Gazelle helicopters, spare parts and maintenance items belonging to the French Army.
Labriolle further explained that due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of the cargo, airport authorities in Kano, decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave.
In a related development, sources at the Aminu Kano International Airport, where the plane was detained has revealed that a former Borno state governor who has been linked to sponsoring the deadly Boko Haram sect, Ali Modu Sheriff visited the Kano airport at about 10 p.m. on Saturday and held discussions with some officials on the possibility of releasing the aircraft.
It was learnt that on arriving the airport, officials allowed the former governor a secret tour of the aircraft, during which he inspected its consignments.
"I was there and I saw him and two airport security officials accompanying him to inspect the plane. I saw the black helicopters and two bullet proof SUVs," one of our sources said. "I also heard him (Mr. Sheriff) say verbal directive had been given from Abuja for the release of the plane but that authorities of the airport were insisting on written directive."
The Nigerian military has released the detained Russian cargo plane which they seized yesterday morning after France admitted ownership of the aircraft.
It said that the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, noting that the Autonov 124 Russian commercial plane was forced to land at the Kano airport because of dense air traffic at Ndjamena airport, Chad.
A statement from the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, on Sunday, stated that the Antonov plane had to divert to an alternate international airport and the closest airport facility being Kano, the Russian crew decided to fly there, to refuel, and to take off again to reach Njamena Airport.
He denied that the plane was carrying arms and ammunition, stressing that it was conveying two light Gazelle helicopters, spare parts and maintenance items belonging to the French Army.
Labriolle further explained that due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of the cargo, airport authorities in Kano, decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave.
In a related development, sources at the Aminu Kano International Airport, where the plane was detained has revealed that a former Borno state governor who has been linked to sponsoring the deadly Boko Haram sect, Ali Modu Sheriff visited the Kano airport at about 10 p.m. on Saturday and held discussions with some officials on the possibility of releasing the aircraft.
It was learnt that on arriving the airport, officials allowed the former governor a secret tour of the aircraft, during which he inspected its consignments.
"I was there and I saw him and two airport security officials accompanying him to inspect the plane. I saw the black helicopters and two bullet proof SUVs," one of our sources said. "I also heard him (Mr. Sheriff) say verbal directive had been given from Abuja for the release of the plane but that authorities of the airport were insisting on written directive."
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