Averted Plane Crash: Adeleke’s Aide Says Aircraft Engines May Have Been Tampered

• Kazeem Badmus

Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, said engines of the aircraft meant to convey the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke and some of his aides which caught fire last week Tuesday, were tampered with before boarding.

Osun Defender had reported that Adeleke and some of his aides on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, escaped an air crash when a private jet owned by billionaire businessman, Adedeji Adeleke (his elder brother) caught fire at the take-off point at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos State.

Confirming the incident in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, Rasheed said contrary to reports, the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.

“Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.

“Contrary to the claim by the hanger hanger owner that birds’ nests caused the incident, birds’ nests are made with straws not bidding wires as in this case.”

He added that the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.

“An early warning noise from the engines of the plane immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.

“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.”