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Nigeria’s Presidential jet gulps billions in maintenance

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1 year ago

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There’s an increasing apprehension regarding the substantial maintenance expenses of Nigeria’s presidential aircraft, Air Force 001, dedicated to serving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with costs amounting to billions of naira, Daily Trust reports.

 

A senior official familiar with the maintenance of the presidential fleet told Daily Trust that the aircraft’s routine servicing and parts acquisition have been consuming vast sums of money.

 

He noted that while the money dedicated to maintaining the presidential fleet is not a new trend, erstwhile Presidential Air Fleet Commandeer, AVM AA Yaro, has recommended its demobilization.

 

The Air Force 001 is a 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) bought during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the cost of $43m. While the age of an aircraft does not matter in terms of its performance, the maintenance cost increases, unlike newer and more modern aircraft.

 

It was also gathered that a month to the expiration of the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the aircraft was sent for comprehensive maintenance ahead of the inauguration of Tinubu’s government. Since Tinubu took over and inherited the aircraft, it has been sent for other rounds of scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance, Daily Trust said.

 

Sources told the publication that the aircraft had amassed over $5m in maintenance bills, constituting nearly half of the over $10m liabilities inherited at the presidential fleet.

 

A source said;

 

“Due to the age of the aircraft, maintenance cost has increased in recent times, and the amount of money spent on maintenance is huge. I am wondering how long it would take to continue to spend this much on maintenance when it could have been disposed of and a new one purchased.”

 

The General Secretary, Society of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (SLAMEN), Sheri Kyari, also advised that purchasing a new one would be better to reduce the maintenance cost.

 

He said;

 

“It is better for the government to buy a new one. How much is a brand new aircraft? They should be able to get something much better from Boeing. For me, Boeing is still the way to go.”

 

Investigations revealed that neighboring nations have relatively newer aircraft in comparison to Nigeria. For example, Ivory Coast not only possesses two Gulfstream aircraft in its presidential fleet but also utilizes A319 and A320 for extended journeys. Similarly, Senegal employs A320Neo and A319 alongside other smaller jets.

 

An aircraft engineer who did not want his name in print said;

 

“Even the US president’s aircraft is older than our president’s. Is the US president not flying a 747? That aircraft cannot be less than 30. You can actually put a brand new engine on an aircraft and it becomes new.

“Again, we must acknowledge that the president is an important personality. So, you cannot micromanage things for him. He deserves something better, but when we know the history and maintenance record of the aircraft, we can decide to say, ‘Okay, this is what we should do.’”

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Fresh Tragedy Hits India As Helicopter Carrying Hindu Pilgrims Crashes, Kills All 7 On Board

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12 minutes ago

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June 15, 2025

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Initial findings indicate that poor weather conditions likely played a role in the fatal incident.

India has suffered another aviation tragedy after a helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims crashed, killing all seven people on board.

The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, went down just minutes after taking off from Kedarnath, a sacred pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. It was en route to Guptkashi, another popular Himalayan destination for devotees.

 

According to officials cited by Sky News, the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time in a densely forested area, several miles off the designated pilgrimage route.

Initial findings indicate that poor weather conditions likely played a role in the fatal incident.

 

Rescue and recovery operations are underway, while aviation authorities are expected to review safety protocols for flights operating in Uttarakhand’s challenging mountainous terrain.

 

This latest incident has sent shockwaves across the country, coming just days after India was gripped by a far more catastrophic accident — the Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of at least 270 people.

 

That crash, which occurred on Thursday, involved a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that plummeted into a residential building near a medical college hostel minutes after takeoff.

 

Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived. Another 29 people were killed on the ground.

 

In response to that disaster, Indian aviation authorities ordered urgent technical inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft with GEnx engines. The directive mandates comprehensive checks on takeoff performance, electronic engine control systems, and fuel components.

 

The global community has continued to mourn with India. French President Emmanuel Macron offered condolences following the Air India crash, stating, “We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims’ loved ones and to Prime Minister @NarendraModi.”

 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also shared her sympathies: “Deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad. On behalf of the Italian Government and myself, I express my sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and our full solidarity with the Indian people in this time of great sorrow.”

 

Thursday’s crash saw a 40-year-old man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, reported as the lone survivor in the deadly incident that rocked India.

 

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Vishwash, who received “impact injuries” on his chest, eyes, and feet, told Hindustan Times.

 

Vishwash, a British national, was in India for a few days to visit his family and was returning to the UK along with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45).

 

Vishwash, who still had his boarding pass, told HT, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”

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Protest breaks out in Benue as angry youths block Abuja-Makurdi highway

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40 minutes ago

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June 15, 2025

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Angry Benue youths on Sunday staged a protest and blocked the Abuja-Makurdi highway, expressing outrage over the continued killings in the state.

The demonstrators, dressed in black attires and carrying palm fronds and placards with various inscriptions, barricaded the ever-busy road, disrupting vehicular movement and demanding immediate action to end the bloodshed.

Ekwutosblog observed that the protesters prevented vehicles from passing, causing gridlock and panic among commuters.

 

The protest comes barely 24 hours after suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed.

The Benue State Government had earlier issued a warning against unlawful gatherings and confrontations, particularly by youths, in the wake of escalating tensions across affected communities.

Despite the appeal for calm, the youths said they feel abandoned and are demanding concrete security measures and justice for the victims of the attacks.

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Wanted Bandits Kingpin, Ado Aleru Holds ‘Peace Meeting’ With Katsina Communities, Nigerian Army Officers

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10 hours ago

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June 15, 2025

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Despite his status as a fugitive, Aleru was seen actively participating in the discussions and addressing the gathering.

The notorious bandits kingpin, Ado Aleru, who remains on the wanted list of Nigerian security forces, has again surfaced publicly — this time leading a peace meeting in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The parley, aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between Fulani herders and other communities, was attended by personnel of the Nigerian Army, community leaders, and several bandit groups, including Aleru’s faction.

Despite his status as a fugitive, Aleru was seen actively participating in the discussions and addressing the gathering.

A peace meeting was held with bandits in Danmusa Local Government Area, where Ado Aleru, who has been declared highly wanted, was seen giving a speech about measures to be taken between the Fulani and other communities to ensure peaceful coexistence.

This isn’t the first time Ado Aleru is seen holding peace talks with communities and the government but he will again be seen attacking innocent communities.

Same Ado Aleru was conferred with a Traditional Title in Zamfara during Bello Matawalle’s administration who is also the current Minister of State for Defence.

A peace parley was held between residents of Dan-Musa and bandits in Dan-Musa LGA, Katsina State.

Attendees included Nigerian Army, community leaders and several bandits groups including notorious leader Ado Aleru.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had reported in July 2022 that Ada Aleru was declared wanted by the Katsina State Police Command in 2019 with a bounty of N5million put on his head.

He was the arrowhead of a deadly raid on Kadisau, a community in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where about 52 people were killed.

Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara state where bandits have thrived.

In 2019, the state government signed a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.

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