FG yet to release detained Russian aircraft

The Nigerian security has vowed not to release the Antonov 124 Russian made aircraft detained at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano until all investigations are concluded. PRNigeria, a publication platform for Nigeria’s public institutions, security outfits in particular, made this known on Monday. Both the French and Russian embassies in Abuja has released […]

The Nigerian security has vowed not to release the Antonov 124 Russian made aircraft detained at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano until all investigations are concluded.

PRNigeria, a publication platform for Nigeria’s public institutions, security outfits in particular, made this known on Monday. Both the French and Russian embassies in Abuja has released explanations concerning their involvement in the saga. Although the Russian embassy initially denied that her country had anything to do with the plane, it later admitted that it belonged to a Russian firm but it had nothing to do with the cargo. According to PRNigeria, crew members of the aircraft would be released to the Russian Embassy in Abuja but the explanations so far given by the French Embassy concerning the source and destination of the cargo were less than convincing. PRNigeria quoted a top security source insisting that “Nigeria has no reason to release the aircraft and its cargo until investigation is concluded.” There were conflicting reports on Sunday as to the clearance status of the aircraft and the crew members of 18. Reports suggested that it had been cleared and allowed to leave.