PLANE LOAD OF DEADLY WEAPONS INTERCEPTED IN KANO

Security agents at the Aminu Kano International Airport yesterday seized a large cache of Russian made war weapons, including spare parts for Hilux vans, destined for neighboring Chad Republic.

The items were being transported in a Russian cargo plane – Antonov 224 .

The plane and its crew were also arrested. The security agencies have already begun investigation into the matter. The plane, The Nation learnt, was on its way to Ndjamena, Chad but could not land there owing to bad weather.

Its pilot then sought permission from the Nigerian aviation authority to land in Kano until there would be an improvement in the weather situation in Chad.

Permission was duly granted at about 2am yesterday. Once the plane landed, security operatives asked for the manifest from the pilot for screening only to discover that the aircraft was carrying weapons of war.

The aircraft with registration number AN 124-100-RAH 2038 was still being detained at the airport at press time. Security agencies are interested in knowing the owners of the arms cache.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that a vigilant staff from the Air Force Intelligence Unit intercepted the plane.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “When the plane landed, everyone went about his normal business at the airport.

“But the Air Force Intelligence personnel braved all odds and insisted on the inspection of the Russian cargo plane. During the inspection, he discovered a cache of arms and ammunition which was being ferried to Chad.

“Parts of vehicles to be re-assembled in Ndjamena were also discovered. He immediately reported the findings at the Air Force Commandant Office at the airport. The Airport Commandant, Wing Commander Imoke ordered full inspection of the aircraft.

“The crew members were subsequently relocated to the Commandant’s office for detention and grilling. The development led to the drafting of more intelligence officers from the Army, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Police.

“After the red alert to relevant agencies in Abuja, the Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, the Director of SSS and the Commissioner of Police visited the airport and inspected the cargo plane.”

It was not immediately clear if the arms and ammunition were meant for either the Chadian government or any group or arms merchants based in Chad.

Another military source said last night that: “The intercepted plane and the crew members have not been released. We will not rush into doing so until full investigation has been concluded.

“We are inspecting relevant documents in the possession of the crew of the plane in order to be able to track down the sources of the arms and find out whether the transaction is legitimate or illegal.

“We will also establish diplomatic link with the Chadian government to ascertain if it actually ordered the importation of the arms and ammunition.

“We will be as fast as possible in the ongoing investigation.”

Confirming the seizure, the General Manager, Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Datti, declined to disclose the contents of the aircraft to reporters.