The Osun State Government has officially confirmed an aircraft incident involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, alleging possible tampering with both engines of the aircraft prior to boarding.
The Leadership exclusively reported that on September 5, 2023, an aircraft incident at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos averted what could have been a national tragedy.
The private jet, Bombadier Global Express 6000, owned by billionaire businessman Chief Adedeji Adeleke, father of popular Afrobeat musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was preparing to depart from Lagos to Abuja when it caught fire.
It was gathered that Governor Adeleke and some of his aides were onboard the aircraft when the incident occurred.
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, dispelled claims of bird nests causing the incident and emphasizing the well-maintained, technically equipped aircraft.
On September 5, 2023, a private jet owned by billionaire businessman Chief Adedeji Adeleke narrowly averted a potential national tragedy at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The Bombadier Global Express 6000, utilized as a family plane, exploded and caught fire as it was about to take off from Lagos to Abuja.
While no injuries were reported, investigations are ongoing, and early internal reports suggest possible sabotage.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Executive Jets, the owners of the hangar where the private jet was parked, Sam Iwuajoku, said that the private jet had experienced Foreign Object Damage (FOD), leading to high temperatures in the engines and subsequent explosion.
According to Iwuajoku, ““At take-off, the engine had high temperature and it was caused by bird nest in one of the engines of the aircraft.
“It happened when an aircraft is parked and not properly covered so, birds will build their nest and anything they bring into the aircraft can spark high temperature.
“It happened to one of my aircraft in 2021, we had to remove the engine and the engine was in Germany for 14 months. So, it’s a common thing in Africa because we have birds around.”
However, contrary to this claims, Rasheed clarified that the aircraft in question was technically equipped and diligently maintained, making it highly unlikely for bird nests to cause the incident.
” Birds nests, are typically made of straws, not binding wires,” he said.
However, the conclusion of investigations will shed more light on the incident and ensure full compliance with the regulations and standards in the aviation industry.