The allegedly missing Bauchi State-owned aircraft, has landed in Nigeria from Morocco where the state government claimed it was found.
The Embraer ERJ 145 touched down on the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi at about 10 am Friday.
Its whereabouts had been a subject of controversy as the new government suggested the aircraft was stolen by its predecessor and hidden in Morocco.
In an address two weeks ago, Governor Mohammed Abubakar announced the airplane had been found in the north African country. Mr. Abubakar said the state’s public Property Recovery Committee traced the plane. “I wish to announce the fruitful efforts in locating the state owned “Embraer 145 aircraft in Morocco and soon it will land at the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa international Airport in a matter of days,” the governor said. He said the plane would be returned to Nigeria within days.
In response, former Governor Isa Yuguda told journalists the plane was on lease to Overland Airways. Mr. Yuguda said he had provided full details about the plane, which was bought by former Governor Adamu Mu’azu, in his handover notes. He said the new administration did not require any assets recovery committee to know what happened to the aircraft.
The state deputy governor, Nuhu Gidado, who acknowledged the arrival of the aircraft, told journalists that, “we have been longing to see our aircraft is back and we are glad that the aircraft is back we will be meeting with the crew to see what next and how to move forward”.
Source: Premium Times
