Stories by Abel Orukpe / Correspondent, Lagos
The State Security Service (SSS) is to investigate on how the windshields of three Dornier aircraft designated for the Abuja -Kebbi- Abuja route belonging to Air Peace airline, parked at the apron of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos were destroyed by unknown persons.
There is also indication that the Aviation security officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN),posted to the apron on the day the incident happened may be quizzed by SSS to determine if they had connived with yet to be established perpetrator(s)
The Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka disclosed this in Lagos while speaking with journalists at the international wing of the MMA, Lagos.
The Minister, who confirmed the incident, said that he has directed the SSS to investigate how three airplanes parked at the apron of the gateway airport were destroyed at a go .
He added that when SSS concludes its investigation, he would know whether it was sabotage as being alleged in some quarters, adding that at the moment investigation is ongoing.
The Minister posited that it is only after the SSS has carried out a thorough investigation on the matter that the Federal Government would know what to do.
The Managing Director of the airline, Barrister Allen Onyema also confirmed the incident, but did not say how much the damage would cost the airline.
He described the incident as an act of desperation and cowardice on the part of the yet to be identified perpetrators.
“Three airplanes! Same type of damage on all of them. The three Dornier jets earmarked for the Abuja -Kebbi- Abuja route, which were recently brought into the country. The airline has never hidden its resentment of the contract we signed with Kebbi. This is a devilish development and an act of desperation and cowardice”.
Daily Independent gathered that the specific items destroyed in the aircraft were the windshields, which cost millions of dollars.
It was further learnt that in order to continue to operate and also not to disappoint its customers, the airline had to import these items from their vendors.
Our correspondent gathered that apart from the SSS investigating the matter, it would investigate where the Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who are in charge of civil aviation security at airports, were at the time of the incident.
Source : Independent
