. NCAA says probe ongoing, warns against sensationalising incident
Osun State Government on Sunday alleged that the engines of a plane boarded by Governor Ademola Adeleke and some of his aides on September 5, were tampered with.
Governor Adeleke’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement, said the near crash incident occurred shortly after the governor and his aides boarded the plane and “less than two minutes after commencement of taxing on the tarmac”.
The statement said the pilots halted the take-off of the aircraft following a noise from the engines, as that Adeleke and his aides were safely evacuated.
The statement added that an internal investigation into the mishap revealed sabotage on the plane, noting that the “highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew.
“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.”
In a chat with Daily Trust, Director-General, Civil Aviation of Nigeria, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said investigation was ongoing.
The DG also warned against sensationalizing the incident, disclosing that a mandatory occurrence report was filed to the NCAA a day after the incident as required by the regulations.
The DGC said what happened was a normal procedure in aviation which any pilot would do after noticing a snag in the jet.
According to him, the NCAA after receiving the MOR immediately sent its team to assess the level of damage to the engine.
He said, “We received a report on it, mandatory occurrence report as required by the regulations a day after the incident. What happened was a normal procedure. I am a pilot for 40 years, This is a normal procedure that we do all the time when you are about to take off and you abandon the takeoff, this is a normal training procedure we do all the time. Honestly this sensationalism does not help anybody may because of the personality involved.”