Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Sunday afternoon broke his silence on the averted plane crash reported in the morning by News Express and some other media.

Speaking through his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, he confirmed the incident but clarified that “there are strong indications that the two aircraft engines were tampered with before boarding”.

Reacting to news reports on the incident, the Spokesperson said that the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.

“Contrary to the claim by the hanger owner that birds’ nests caused the incident, birds’ nests are made with straws not bidding wires as in this case,” he said in a statement made available to News Express via e-mail.

According to Rasheed, the near-fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.

His words: “An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.

“Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.

“We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane.

“The Governor expressed his deep appreciation to well wishers and supporters who have been calling since the report of the incident. Mr. Governor is hale and hearty.”

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