- Rasheed dismissed claims by the hanger owner that the incident was caused by birds’ nest, adding early reports from investigation of the incident attributed it to sabotage
- He disclosed that authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident
The Osun State Government has cited sabotage for the averted aircraft accident involving Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The State government said the engine of the aircraft carrying the governor and some of his aides was tinkered with.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Governor Adeleke’s spokesman Olawale Rasheed.
Rasheed dismissed claims by the hanger owner that the incident was caused by birds’ nest, adding that preliminary reports from the investigation of the incident attributed it to sabotage.
“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,” he said Sunday.
“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,” the spokesman noted.
But the spokesman reassured that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or 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,” he added