By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA FCT – Human Rights Activist, Comrade Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the JFK Airport incident in New York, urging the federal government of Nigeria to demand a thorough investigation and explanation from the United States. Such incident in one of the most tightly secured Aviation spots in the World is unprecedented.
Recall that “foreign object” was reportedly hit and damaged the cockpit window of the Vice President Kassim Shetima’s plane.
The federal lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th senate, Senator Shehu Sani who stated this when he took to his verified X acount on Friday said:
“The incident at the JFK Airport in New York where a “foreign object” was reported to have hit and damaged the cockpit window of the VP Shetima plane must be treated seriously. Nigeria must demand a thorough investigation and explanation from the US. Such incident in one of the most tightly secured Aviation spots in the World is unprecedented. We thank The Almighty for the life of the VP and other crew and staff.”
Precise Post further recalled that Shettima who was headed to Semoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Summit.
The trip was cancelled after “a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York,” the Presidency stated in a statement Thursday night.
Therefore, a delegation led by the Environment Minister, Balarabe Lawal, will now represent Nigeria at the biennial event.
The statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, is titled ‘Cockpit windscreen of VP Shettima’s plane damaged at JFK airport, ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at Samoa Commonwealth summit.’
Recall that Shettima departed Abuja last Sunday for the gathering at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.
Onanuga said, “Vice President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.
“The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.
“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the Samoa capital of Apia while the plane’s repair has commenced.”
The summit began on the Pacific island on October 21 and ends on October 26.
Shettima was scheduled to join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the first CHOGM to be held in the Pacific island of Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.
The theme will focus attention on how member countries can harness their strengths through resilience, unlock potential, leverage the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and foster a connected, digital Commonwealth.
At the meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.
The leaders will deliberate on the theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’
However, “Vice President Shettima and foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar have left New York for Nigeria,” Onanuga revealed.
This would not be the first trip Shettima is backing out of.
In May, he was scheduled to represent Tinubu at the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, but returned midflight due to a technical fault with his aircraft.
The Presidency said Shettima heeded the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet to shelve the trip.
