Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has urged the Federal Government to promptly procure a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressing concerns about recurring technical issues that compromise his safety during official travels.
This appeal follows a series of aborted flights and technical mishaps involving Shettima’s current designated plane.
Lawan highlighted a recent incident on September 24, 2024, when Shettima’s journey to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa was abruptly canceled after his aircraft sustained damage while stopping over at JFK Airport.
The plane’s cockpit windscreen was struck by a foreign object, sparking security concerns even at a major international airport.
Earlier in the year, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recommended new aircraft for both the President and Vice President, though only the President’s plane was replaced.
Issuing a statement from Maiduguri, Speaker Lawan expressed relief that the Vice President and his entourage escaped harm during the recent mishap.
He called for a “thorough and timely investigation” by U.S. authorities to understand how such an incident could occur at one of the world’s most secure airports.
“The life of the Vice President and his team remains at risk with the continued use of an unreliable aircraft. I urge the Federal Government to prioritize acquiring a new plane for Vice President Shettima to prevent further incidents,” Lawan stated.
He also extended condolences to the Nigerian government and expressed gratitude to Allah for the safety of Shettima and his team.
