The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has raised concerns about the safety of Vice President Kashim Shettima due to the use of a “faulty” presidential aircraft for official engagements. This comes after the Vice President had to cancel his trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa following an incident at JFK Airport in New York.
According to reports, a foreign object struck Shettima’s plane during a stopover in New York, causing damage to parts of the aircraft, including the cockpit’s windscreen. In response to this, Lawan has called on the Federal Government to provide a new aircraft for the Vice President to prevent any potential tragedies.
Lawan expressed sympathy for the Vice President and his team, while also urging the Nigerian government to seek a thorough investigation from the United States authorities regarding the incident. He highlighted the need for a new aircraft for Shettima, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the Vice President and his staff during official travels.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives Committee had recommended the acquisition of new aircraft for both Vice President Shettima and President Bola Tinubu. However, only Tinubu’s aircraft was procured, leading to further concerns about the safety of Vice President Shettima during air travel.