Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has raised concerns of possible sabotage in a recent airplane incident that nearly turned tragic.
The incident unfolded at Lagos State’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), where the governor was scheduled to fly to Abuja on a private jet owned by his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke. However, the flight was abruptly halted due to a critical engine fault detected by the pilot during taxiing.
Governor Adeleke has disputed the initial explanation that attributed the malfunction to bird nests, asserting that the aircraft was well-maintained and not a nesting ground for birds.
The incident occurred shortly after boarding and less than two minutes into taxiing, prompting a swift evacuation of all passengers, resulting in no injuries or explosions.
Internal investigations have now raised suspicions of sabotage, leading both local and international authorities to launch inquiries into the matter.
Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of Civil Aviation in Nigeria, confirmed the ongoing investigation and urged against sensationalizing the incident. He emphasized that standard aviation procedures were followed, with pilots taking appropriate actions upon detecting the engine issue.
As the investigation unfolds, questions about the security and safety of air travel in Nigeria arise, particularly due to the involvement of a prominent political figure.
The incident has drawn attention to the need for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident and potential security vulnerabilities within the aviation industry.