Security agents
at the Aminu Kano International Airport yesterday seized a large cache
of Russian made war weapons, including spare parts for Hilux vans,
destined for neighbouring Chad Republic.
The plane and its crew were also arrested.
The security agencies have already begun investigation into the matter.
The plane, The Nation learnt, was on its way to Ndjamena, Chad but could not land there owing to bad weather.
Its pilot then sought permission
from the Nigerian aviation authority to land in Kano until there would
be an improvement in the weather situation in Chad.
Permission was duly granted at about 2am yesterday.
Once the plane landed, security
operatives asked for the manifest from the pilot for screening only to
discover that the aircraft was carrying weapons of war.
The aircraft with registration number AN 124-100-RAH 2038 was still being detained at the airport at press time.
Security agencies are interested in knowing the owners of the arms cache.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that a vigilant staff from the Air Force Intelligence Unit intercepted the plane.
A reliable source, who spoke in
confidence, said: “When the plane landed, everyone went about his normal
business at the airport.
“But the Air Force Intelligence
personnel braved all odds and insisted on the inspection of the Russian
cargo plane. During the inspection, he discovered a cache of arms and
ammunition which was being ferried to Chad.
“Parts of vehicles to be
re-assembled in Ndjamena were also discovered. He immediately reported
the findings at the Air Force Commandant Office at the airport. The
Airport Commandant, Wing Commander Imoke ordered full inspection of the
aircraft.
“The crew members were subsequently
relocated to the Commandant’s office for detention and grilling. The
development led to the drafting of more intelligence officers from the
Army, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Nigeria
Police.
“After the red alert to relevant
agencies in Abuja, the Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, the
Director of SSS and the Commissioner of Police visited the airport and
inspected the cargo plane.”
It was not immediately clear if the
arms and ammunition were meant for either the Chadian government or any
group or arms merchants based in Chad.
Another military source said last
night that: “The intercepted plane and the crew members have not been
released. We will not rush into doing so until full investigation has
been concluded.
“We are inspecting relevant
documents in the possession of the crew of the plane in order to be able
to track down the sources of the arms and find out whether the
transaction is legitimate or illegal.
“We will also establish diplomatic
link with the Chadian government to ascertain if it actually ordered the
importation of the arms and ammunition.
“We will be as fast as possible in the ongoing investigation.”
Confirming the seizure, the General
Manager, Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
(FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Datti, declined to disclose the contents of the
aircraft to reporters.
Land locked Chad borders Borno State, the epicentre of the terror group Boko Haram.
Insurgents of the sect often cross the Nigeria/Chad border, attacking innocent Nigerians.
President Goodluck Jonathan has
visited Ndjamena twice in the last three months to seek the co-operation
of the Chadian authorities to curb the Boko Haram terrorism.
Only last week a delegation of Bring
Back Our Girls which is pressing for the release of the over 200 Chibok
girls captured by the sect visited the Chadian envoy in Nigeria to
appeal to the authorities in his country to help in getting the girls
released. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters yesterday confirmed that
troops foiled a fresh attempt by Boko Haram to take over Ashaka town in
Gombe State.
The DHQ said 10 soldiers died in the encounter with the insurgents while many Boko Haram terrorists were killed.
It explained that following defeat, Boko Haram ran away with three truckloads of bodies of their members killed.
The DHQ tweeted that: “Terrorists
fleeing Ashaka on Thursday managed to retrieve three truckloads full of
their dead members following the defeat and heavy casualty they suffered
after a fierce battle with troops in the area.
“The terrorists, who had come in
large number with heavy equipment and convoy of over 30 vehicles and a
number of motor cycles, were on a mission to take control of Ashaka
town, after they had operated in Bajoga and environ in Gombe state.
“Troops who got wind of their
intention to overrun other towns pursued the terrorists while some also
laid ambush for them. The terrorists were forced to abandon the mission
when the troops proved unyielding.
“Most of the vehicles and equipment
used by the terrorists for their mission were destroyed before they
chose to flee the location.
“Over 10 soldiers however died in the battle while those who were wounded are being treated in military hospitals.”
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