The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has
revealed why it prevented chartered air flight meant to convey some Middle belt
leaders from landing at its base in Makurdi, Benue state capital.
We had reported that some
members of Southern and Middle Belt Forum led by President General of Ohaneze
Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo and Edwin Clark were on Monday denied flying to Benue
from the Abuja airport.
Reacting, however, NAF in a
statement by Olatokunbo Adesanya, Director of Public Relations and Information
said there was no notice from the state government in line with global
practice.
The statement reads “There is
absolutely no iota of truth in the allegations that NAF’s decision was politically
motivated. To start with, the runway at NAF Base Makurdi is not a dual user
facility but one constructed strictly for military purpose.
“Accordingly, in line with global
best practices, there is a clearly established procedure for non-NAF aircraft to
operate into and out of the runway in Makurdi, and that procedure is well known
to all qualified pilots in Nigeria.
“Indeed, many airlines had in the
past adhered to the stipulated procedure and therefore successfully landed and
taken off from the NAF runway in Makurdi. The procedure includes a written
request to NAF Headquarters Abuja for permission for a specific aircraft to
operate into its airfield on a specific date and time, including the names of
passengers and other necessary details.
“In this case, there was indeed a
request for permit by the Benue State Government, dated 16 July 2018, for
Aircraft with Registration Number 5N-FCT to land at NAF Base Makurdi on 16 July
2018. Although requests for landing permits are expected to reach NAF Headquarters
not later than two days before the desired landing date, the NAF went out of
its way to expedite the process and accordingly granted the permit for aircraft
with Registration Number 5N-FCT to land at NAF Base Makurdi on 16 July 2018.
“However, at about 5pm on 16 July
2018, the NAF was verbally informed that there was a need to change the
aircraft for which permission had already been issued, reportedly because the
aircraft had developed snags. The NAF, therefore, asked for another written
request, in line with the established procedure. As at date, the NAF
Headquarters is yet to receive a written request for the replaced aircraft with
Registration Number 5N-IZY to land at its Base in Makurdi.”
Adesanya pointed out that NAF
remains apolitical and does not concern itself with politics.
“For the avoidance of doubts, the
NAF does not concern itself with political or religious affiliations of
individuals/organizations in granting landing rights at its airfields. The
issue of security and safety remains uppermost particularly while noting that
the ongoing Operation WHIRL STROKE is largely being coordinated from NAF Base
Makurdi, with fighter aircraft flying in and out of the Base.
“The NAF remains a highly
professional and apolitical organization that would rather focus on its
military duties. Consequently, the NAF wishes to implore all concerned to
desist from dragging the name of the NAF into partisan politics,” Adesanya
added.
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