AVIATION Authorities Release The Russian Plane Seized In Kano

AVIATION Authorities Release The Russian Plane Seized In Kano

Posted by Sylvester on Monday, December 8, 2014 0

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Military equipment is for French peacekeepers in Chad - ----Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, France ambassador to Nigeria.

AVIATION authorities are to release the Russian plane seized in Kano over the weekend after receiving a satisfactory explanation that the military hardware the aircraft was carrying was meant for French peacekeepers currently serving in Chad.

On Saturday, security officials at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport seized a Russian Antonov plane that was enroute to the Chadian capital Ndjamena laden with arms and ammunition. It was feared that the weapons might belong to terrorist sect Boko Haram but the French embassy in Nigeria has come out to confirm that it owns the cargo.


Loaded with two helicopters parts and other sophisticated weapons including two sport utility vehicles and an array of AK 47 assault rifles, the plane had stopped in Kano to refuel before it was seized. Its six crew members were arrested but the Russian embassy has denied it has anything to do with the weapons, pointing out that it was the French government who hired the aircraft.

According to the Russian Embassy in Abuja, the seized aircraft had been chartered to transport the military equipment to the French peacekeepers in Chad. It issued an official Tweet saying: “The plane was chartered by the French peacekeeping mission in Chad and transporting its property."

Defence spokesman Group Captain Wakperem Maigida, said that the military had already commenced an investigation into the impounded aircraft. He added that the military authorities are seeking to determine the content and origin of the aircraft.

However, France has admitted ownership of the seized cargo plane. France's embassy in Nigeria said that the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, noting that the Autonov 124 commercial plane was forced to land at the Kano airport because of dense air traffic at the Ndjamena airport in Chad.

Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, France's ambassador to Nigeria, said that the plane had to divert to an alternate international airport and the closest facility was Kano. He added that the Russian crew decided to fly there to refuel and to take off again for Ndjamena.

Mr de Labriolle denied that the plane was carrying arms and ammunition, stressing that it was conveying two light Gazelle helicopters, spare parts and maintenance items belonging to the French Army. He added that official information had been supplied by the French embassy in Nigeria, noting that the federal and airport authorities, being satisfied with the documents and the genuine character of the flight, had announced that the plane would be authorised to pursue its flight to Ndjamena.