Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke, has claimed that the jet crash that the governor and several of his aides narrowly avoided was caused by sabotage.
On the day that Governor Adeleke was supposed to take a private flight on the aircraft owned by his older brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, from Lagos to Abuja, the pilot discovered an issue with the engine just as the aircraft was starting to taxi.
Rasheed stated that a loud noise was heard on the tarmac immediately after taxing, which is in contrast to reports that the engine exploded after taxing.
He also described excuse given by owners of the hanger that a bird nest within the engine led to the fault, saying their are strong reasons to believe that the two engines in the aircraft were tampered with.
According to him, the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.
“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.
“The near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after commencement of taxing on the tarmac.
“An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.
“Early reports from internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.
“We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any 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”.