Why we stopped Nwodo, Clark, others from flying to Benue – Air Force
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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