Breaking: Nigeria releases Detained Chad-Bound arms plane

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

Nigeria security has given a go ahead to the Russian planed detained at the Mallam Amino Kano International Airport on Sunday after France and Russia intervened.

France admitted owning the aircraft adding that the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

The Autonov 124 Russian commercial plane was forced to land at the airport after running out of fuel on its way to Ndjamena airport, Chad.

According to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle on Sunday, the Antonov  had to divert to an alternate international airport and the  closest airport facility being Kano, the Russian crew decided to fly there, to refuel, and to take off again to reach Njamena Airport. He 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.

Labriolle further explained that due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of the cargo, airport authorities in Kano, decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave.

He said that official information has 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, have announced that the plane will be authorized to pursue its flight to Ndjamena.

The envoy stated  that the French Armed Forces had on December 6, 2014, chartered the flight on the Russian commercial company “224 Flight Unit,” to ship two light helicopters from Bangui to Ndjamena.

Nigerians curiosity had increased since the discovery of the arms in the plane as many suspect the President of Chad who is a close friend of one of the indicted Nigerian politician, Ali Modu Sheriff are sponsors of the dreaded Boko Haram.

NAIJA CENTER NEWS could recall that President Derby was a party to the last ceasefire announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria which was terminated abruptly for a reason yet to be known.

Despite the accusation, President Derby had not in any form deny nor accept the accusation against him. The Bringbackourgirls group had promised to protest at the Chad embassy in Nigeria to express their grievances as Nigeria government refused to inquire into the alleged involvement of the neighbouring country, Chad.

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Breaking: Nigeria releases Detained Chad-Bound arms plane