In a troubling incident at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York, a foreign object struck the aircraft carrying Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, causing damage to the cockpit windscreen......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Former Kaduna State Senator Shehu Sani has called on Nigeria to request a comprehensive investigation from the United States into this unusual occurrence.
Vice President Shettima was traveling to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) when the incident happened.
Sharpnews reported that the vice president’s trip was abruptly cancelled after the object struck the plane during a stopover in New York.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed in a statement that the object had caused significant damage to the cockpit, and repairs for the aircraft are now underway.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu quickly approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the Samoa summit. Led by Minister of Environment Balarabe Abass Lawal, the delegation stands in for Vice President Shettima and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who have returned to Nigeria from New York.
Reacting to the event, Sani emphasized the gravity of the situation, especially given JFK’s reputation as one of the world’s most secure airports. He underscored that an investigation by U.S. authorities is essential to uncover the cause of the occurrence.
“The incident at JFK Airport, where a ‘foreign object’ reportedly hit and damaged the cockpit window of VP Shettima’s plane, must be treated seriously. Nigeria must demand a thorough investigation and explanation from the U.S. Such an incident in one of the most tightly secured aviation spots in the world is unprecedented,” Sani posted on social media.
He also expressed relief for the safety of the vice president and the crew, calling it an incident that could have had far more severe consequences.
The Commonwealth summit in Samoa, which started on October 21 and will run until October 26, will now see Nigeria represented by the ministerial delegation as authorities continue to investigate the incident in New York.
Details surrounding the foreign object that struck Vice President Shettima’s plane remain unclear, raising concerns among Nigerian officials and the public alike.