FG Releases Kano Arms Plane

The Federal Government has released the Russian Cargo Aircraft which
was intercepted by operatives of the Nigerian Air Force at the Mallam
Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Saturday.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, announced the
decision of the government in a press briefing he jointly addressed
with the Defence Attache of France to Nigeria, Col. Mark Hubert, in
Abuja on Monday.

Amosu said that the Federal Government decided to release the
controversial aircraft following a clearance with the French
Government that the content of the aircraft belonged to the French
military.

The CAS said that it became necessary for the government to release
the aircraft because of the long healthy relationship between Nigeria
and France which according to him remained very respected.

He added that France had been very supportive to Nigeria and their
relationship with the country was valued.

He said that security forces at the Aminu Kano Airport had to resort
to the standard procedure of conducting checks on the aircraft because
it had no clearance to operate at the airport even though the French
Government was given an annual block clearance by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to operate in the country.

According to him, the investigation into the aircraft became necessary
because a notification should have been issued by France in spite of
the block clearance if the aircraft's destination was Nigeria.

He explained that the notification was not issued because the aircraft
left Bangui, Central Africa Republic with Ndjamena, Chad, as its
destination, and had to land in Kano because the airport in Chad was
too busy at the time.

He said, "A Antonio Aircraft with registration number RA 820388
departed Bangui, Cental Africa Republic on December 6, 2014 for
Ndjamena, Chad. We had no record of clearance of the aircraft to
operate in Kano. With the French Government, we do have a block
clearance for a year but the block clearance has some exceptions.

"We have some elements that ought to be avoided: the aircraft must not
carry toxic waste; it must not carry nuclear wastes, weapons troops
and other controversial equipment.

"We followed the standard procedure to check, and we did not get
adequate clarification from the crew. One of the issues has to do with
language.

"However, we just got clarification from the French that the items on
board belongs to the French military. We respect that; we have a good
relationship with the French Government and we respect that. .. By
this briefing, we are releasing the aircraft..."

Amosu said that what happened in Kano was normal as Nigeria like all
the other countries had a responsibility to check such a controversial
aircraft to ensure that weapons are not airlifted to foment trouble in
other nations in this era of terrorism.

Speaking also, the French Defence Attache in Nigeria, Col. Hubert,
said that the items aboard the aircraft were used by the French
military in Central Africa Republic and were being taken to the French
Central Operational base in Ndjamena, for movement back home to
France.

Hubert who stated that the aircraft was not carrying arms and
ammunition, said that the items on board the aircraft included two
gazelle helicopters, spare parts for the aircraft, a rover car, which
was corroborated by the Air Chief.

Hubert assured Nigerians that the items were not meant to be used
against Nigeria as the French Government had promised to assist
Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram and had been doing that
since May, 2014.
--PUNCH