Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed several incidents involving aircraft carrying high-ranking officials, including the President and Vice President.
These incidents have often raised concerns about the safety protocols and maintenance of state-owned aircraft. Here is a detailed account of some notable incidents:
1. Yemi Osinbajo’s Helicopter Crashes
– Date: February 2, 2019
– Location: Kogi State
– Details: Ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s helicopter crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi State. The Vice President and all the other passengers on board were unharmed.
The helicopter, managed by Caverton Helicopters, was carrying the Vice President to a political campaign rally.
The incident was attributed to unusual weather conditions that affected visibility. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause.
2. Yemi Osinbajo’s Chopper Incident
– Date: June 7, 2018
– Location: Abuja
– Details: A chopper carrying former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was forced to land a few seconds after takeoff from the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The chopper had developed a technical fault. No one was injured, and the Vice President continued his schedule using an alternative aircraft. This incident particularly highlighted concerns over the airworthiness of the official fleet.
3. Goodluck Jonathan’s Helicopter Scare
– Date: 2013
– Location: Norway
– Details: President Goodluck Jonathan nearly had a helicopter crash in Norway due to freezing temperatures.
In the ensuing chaos, Jonathan said, “It would be unfortunate for a Nigerian Head-of-State to die in a foreign country.” Thankfully, the disaster was averted.
4. Obasanjo, Aides Escape Death In Presidential Plane
Details: On January 14, 2001, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s official plane came close to disaster when the runway lights at Abuja airport went out as it came to land.
The pilot received the signal to land from the control tower but the lights on the tarmac them went off, however, few seconds after the pilot managed to land, the lights came back on.
5. Tinubu Forced To Take Jet Charter Flight To Saudi Arabia After Presidential Jet Develops Fault In Netherlands
Details: President Tinubu, on the 29th of April, 2024, had to make an unexpected journey to Saudi Arabia using a charter flight due to issues with his private jets.
His main jet was undergoing repairs, and the second one developed a problem while he was in the Netherlands.
6. Shettima Shelves US Trip As Presidential Jet Develops Fault Midair
Details: On the 7th of May, 2024, Vice President, Kashim Shettima who was originally scheduled to represent the President Bola Tinubu was unable to make the trip following a technical fault with his aircraft, forcing him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.
7. Foreign Object Hits Vice President, Shettima’s Plane In US
Details: Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on the 24th of October, 2024 aborted his trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa.
Naturenex had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu delegated Shettima to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming meeting.
The presidency, however, on Thursday night, announced that Shettima’s trip had been cancelled, revealing that a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.
