Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke on Sunday has reacted to an averted plane crash incident involving him and his aides at Muritala Muhammed Airport In Lagos.
Adeleke in a statement made available to DAILY GIST by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, his Spokesperson in Osogbo confirmed the incident.
DAILY GIST reported earlier that Adeleke and his aides escaped death in the incident. The incident according to report happened at the domestic wing of the Airport when the jet was about to take off from Lagos to Abuja.
The statement was titled “Averted Plane Crash: Aircraft Engines May Have Been Tampered with” reads: “Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has confirmed the reported aircraft incident involving Governor Ademola Adeleke but clarified that there are strong indications that the two aircraft engines were tampered with before boarding.
Reacting to news reports on the incident, the Spokesperson said the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.
Contrary to the claim by the hanger owner that birds’ nests caused the incident, birds’ nests are made with straws not bidding wires as in this case.
According to him, the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.
An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.
Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.
We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane.
The Governor expressed his deep appreciation to well wishers and supporters who have been calling since the report of the incident. Mr. Governor is hale and hearty.”
