The Spokesperson of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, has alleged sabotage over the averted aeroplane crash involving the governor and some of his aides.
Recall that, Adeleke had planned to fly from Lagos to Abuja on his elder brother, Deji Adeleke’s private jet.
The pilot, however, had to call it off following a fault in the engine just before it began taking off.
However, contrary to the report that the engine exploded after taxing, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that Rasheed disclosed that a loud noise was heard just after taxing on the tarmac.
He also described the excuse given by owners of the hanger that a bird nest within the engine led to the fault, saying there 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.
He said, “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 the 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.”
