The Federal Government has ordered the release of the the
Chad-bound Russian aircraft detained at the Aminu Kano
Airport in Kano, hours after it said it was not in a hurry
to let the aircraft go.
PR Nigeria, an agency that circulates press statements for
Nigerian security agencies, had quoted an unnamed top
security official as telling it that “Nigeria has no reason to
release the aircraft and its cargo until investigation is
concluded”.
But the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu, said
Monday afternoon that the government had approved the
release of the aircraft, the News Agency of Nigeria is
reporting.
The government announced the release of the aircraft
shortly after PREMIUM TIMES obtained a manifest which
listed the entire cargo on the plane.
According to the document, the Antonov Cargo plane, AN
124100RA82038, with flight number, TTF 9042 from Bangui,
Central, African Republic to Ndjamena, Chad, contained a
list of 24 military hardware including a vehicle, helicopters
and blades.
A breakdown of the items are a steel box weighing 2, 600
kilograms, six bulks of 597 kilograms, two pallets 10, 000
lbs of 4, 550 kilograms with air waybill number
88823400967 all destined for Ndjamena. It is not clear
what the steel box contains.
There are also two helicopter Gazelle, weighing, 2, 746 kg,
destined for Istres, a community in Southern France.
Others are two blades (7.31m) of 960 kg, two blades
(4.83m) of 680 kg, six AKN of 720kg, one vehicle of 4,
050kg and two pallets (10, 000 lbs) of 2800kg, all headed
for Istres.
France had said the plane was conveying equipment,
owned by its peacekeeping force, from Bangui (Central
African Republic) to Ndjamena (Chad), and had diplomatic
cover to make a stop-over in Nigeria.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de
Labriolle, had said Sunday that Nigerian authorities had
agreed to let the aircraft go.
“Due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of
the cargo, local airport Nigerian authorities in Kano have
decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the
cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave,” the
ambassador said in statement through which he admitted
his country’s ownership of the cargo aboard the aircraft.
“Official information has been supplied by the French
Embassy in Nigeria. The Nigerian federal and airport
authorities, being satisfied with the documents and the
genuine character of the flight, have announced that the
plane will be authorized to pursue its flight to Ndjamena.”
Russia had initially said through its embassy in Nigeria on
Saturday night that the plane wasn’t Russian and that it
had no link with that country.
But in another statement on Sunday afternoon, the
embassy said the plane is indeed a Russian one hired by
the French government to convey military hardware for its
peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic.
The Defence Headquarters had on Saturday said the
aircraft, laden with military hardware, was arrested at the
Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
While the French ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques
Champagne de Labriolle, has admitted that his country
chattered the Russian aircraft to help it convey some
military hardware from Bangui in the Central African
Republic to N’djamena, Chad, he denied there were arms
and ammunition aboard the plane.
Security operatives at the Kano Airport had seized the
plane when it landed at the facility at about 2a.m.
Saturday due to technical problems.
Crew members of the airplane were immediately detained
while investigations continued, officials said.
Security was then beefed up at the airport in order to
ensure proper investigation,” an official at the airport said.
This is the third time since 2009 that planes loaded with
arms would be arrested in Kano, our correspondent says.
The detained planes were later released after
investigations.
The destination of the latest aircraft has however raised
concerns amid increasing worries in Nigeria over Chad’s
alleged role in the Boko Haram insurgency plaguing
Nigeria’s northeast.
Airport officials in Kano told PREMIUM TIMES a former
governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, visited and
inspected the plane late Saturday night.
The former governor – an ally of both the Chadian and
Nigerian presidents – is believed to be lobbying for the
release of the plane.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/172715-breaking-nigerian-govt-releases-chad-bound-russian-plane-detained-in-kano.html

incase

Interesting

Ok ..according to the story, why was General Ali Modu Sheriff lobbying to ensure the release of the aircraft?

Hmmmmm
Nigeria A PLACE WHERE THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

NIGERIA

I hope the federal government have investigated the matter thoroughly. France can't really be trusted so we should not be in a haste to release that plane especially in this period when we are not too sure of the role chad is playing in the Boko Haram insurgency.

awon oloshi

was here .....

GEJ there is God oh,another blonder

France is one of the imperialist regimes destabilizing Sub Saharan Africa. France is using Chad and Niger, which are franca-phone African countries(colonized by France) to militarily wrest the "oil rich chad-basin region" owned by Nigeria , but claimed by Chad. It is in Frances' best national interest that the oil region goes to either Chad or Niger. Hence, about 50% percent of Boko Haram Islamic guerillas are using Chad and Niger militia mercenaries to fight Nigeria, and both countries with nodding of France are save-havens for the Boko Haramites. The weapons being presently claimed by France is in fact meant for Boko Haram jihadists based in Chad, which is where Boko Haram has its arms depot; and all Nigerians know that the sophisticated weapons being used by the guerillas are being supplied to them by the France, Britain, Russia, and United States business men arms traders. Also, the Arabs whose masonic objective is to Islamize Nigeria by next 30 yrs is funding the Boko Haram. Ask yourself a question; Russia is presently under economic sanction by European and American governments, so how come is Russia supplying arms to France? That's a complete nonsensical lie , and shame on President Jonathan if he should let go the plane. In fact he should declare both France and Russia , public enemy number one of Nigeria. All Russia and France's economic interests should be re-evaluated and be determined if need be. Those countries are evil and dangerous to Nigeria corporate existence. Period

onoja12:
GEJ there is God oh,another blonder

Just d way there's a BLUNDER in ur blonder... no mind me... jez joking

knightsTempler:
France is one of the imperialist regimes destabilizing Sub Saharan Africa. France is using Chad and Niger, which are franca-phone African countries(colonized by France) to militarily wrest the "oil rich chad-basin region" owned by Nigeria , but claimed by Chad. It is in Frances' best national interest that the oil region goes to either Chad or Niger. Hence, about 50% percent of Boko Haram Islamic guerillas are using Chad and Niger militia mercenaries to fight Nigeria, and both countries with nodding of France are save-havens for the Boko Haramites. The weapons being presently claimed by France is in fact meant for Boko Haram jihadists based in Chad, which is where Boko Haram has its arms depot; and all Nigerians know that the sophisticated weapons being used by the guerillas are being supplied to them by the France, Britain, Russia, and United States business men arms traders. Also, the Arabs whose masonic objective is to Islamize Nigeria by next 30 yrs is funding the Boko Haram. Ask yourself a question; Russia is presently under economic sanction by European and American governments, so how come is Russia supplying arms to France? That's a complete nonsensical lie , and shame on President Jonathan if he should let go the plane. In fact he should declare both France and Russia , public enemy number one of Nigeria. All Russia and France's economic interests should be re-evaluated and be determined if need be. Those countries are evil and dangerous to Nigeria corporate existence. Period

Rubbish! From Great Britain to USA to China, and now France... In fact, every country on the globe is secretly plotting to destabilize Almighty Nigeria because err... well, we are Almighty! *Grrrr*

Oro Naijiria yi ti su mi. How I wish we have a President.

knightsTempler:
France is one of the imperialist regimes destabilizing Sub Saharan Africa. France is using Chad and Niger, which are franca-phone African countries(colonized by France) to militarily wrest the "oil rich chad-basin region" owned by Nigeria , but claimed by Chad. It is in Frances' best national interest that the oil region goes to either Chad or Niger. Hence, about 50% percent of Boko Haram Islamic guerillas are using Chad and Niger militia mercenaries to fight Nigeria, and both countries with nodding of France are save-havens for the Boko Haramites. The weapons being presently claimed by France is in fact meant for Boko Haram jihadists based in Chad, which is where Boko Haram has its arms depot; and all Nigerians know that the sophisticated weapons being used by the guerillas are being supplied to them by the France, Britain, Russia, and United States business men arms traders. Also, the Arabs whose masonic objective is to Islamize Nigeria by next 30 yrs is funding the Boko Haram. Ask yourself a question; Russia is presently under economic sanction by European and American governments, so how come is Russia supplying arms to France? That's a complete nonsensical lie , and shame on President Jonathan if he should let go the plane. In fact he should declare both France and Russia , public enemy number one of Nigeria. All Russia and France's economic interests should be re-evaluated and be determined if need be. Those countries are evil and dangerous to Nigeria corporate existence. Period

well said broda. i do not know why our secret security agency cannot get to the root of the boko haram crisis to know that there are external forces behind them. They are quick to point accusing fingers at opposition parties but are scared stiff to mention names and external forces behind them. This is the only time i had ever wished we had a president like Abacha at the helm of affairs. I ask, why was the government not informed about the mission of the plane and its contents before its arrival? I hope our leaders will rise up beyond sheer lust for power and live up to the responsibilities of their offices.

Frankenstein:
Rubbish! From Great Britain to USA to China, and now France... In fact, every country on the globe is secretly plotting to destabilize Almighty Nigeria because err... well, we are Almighty! *Grrrr*

no mind dos fools jawe,I no know wetin concern russia wit Nigeria