The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has expressed serious concerns regarding the safety of Vice President Kashim Shettima following an incident involving the presidential aircraft he uses for official duties. Lawan’s alarm comes in the wake of a mishap that occurred during Shettima’s recent trip to the United States, where the aircraft sustained damage while on the tarmac at JFK Airport in New York.
The Vice President was scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa but had to cancel his trip after a foreign object struck the plane, causing damage to parts of the aircraft, including the cockpit’s windscreen. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the damage rendered the aircraft unfit for travel.
In a statement released on October 27, 2024, Lawan urged the Federal Government to take immediate action by providing a new aircraft for the Vice President. He highlighted the potential dangers posed by the aging and faulty presidential aircraft, emphasizing the need for reliable transportation for the nation’s second-highest official.
“I want to sympathize with the Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew, and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport in New York. I express my gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the precious life of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and those on board the ill-fated VP’s plane,” Lawan stated.
He called for a thorough investigation by the U.S. government into the incident, pointing out that the Vice President’s safety is at risk while utilizing old and potentially dangerous aircraft. Lawan concluded with an urgent appeal for the acquisition of a new aircraft to prevent further incidents that could jeopardize the lives of Shettima and his team.