The Federal Government yesterday shut down the Maiduguri International Airport, few hours to a scheduled airlift of 300 Muslim pilgrims who were on their way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. Also, a chartered aircraft that brought wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima which was expected to take back Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and a member of the House of Reps, Hon. Peter Biye and some Borno elders back to Abuja was also forced to take-off empty.
Our correspondent gathered from various sources that the airport was “abruptly closed” following “orders from above”. Speaking to our correspondent last night, Senator Ndume said what transpired at the Maiduguri Airport was an insult on the Nigerian Senate, stressing that Nigeria was drifting to a state of lawlessness. “If they are talking about ‘security’ why did they allow the aircraft to land in the first place?”
“When I realized that many soldiers have taken over the airport, I had to call the chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force who in turn spoke with the Chief of Air Staff. At the end of the day, I found out that the order was from the Chief of Army Staff,” Ndume said.
On the other hand, Managing Director of Skynet Travel and Tours, Grema Terab said their customers were subjected to psychological trauma. “We have completed arrangements with Max Air for the airlift of our clients from Maiduguri Airport. In fact, our passengers have been screened and we have completed all the necessary papers when a report reached us that the airport was closed. “As I am talking to you, our clients are now on their way to Kano by road so that they would be airlifted from Mallam Aminu Kano Airport,” he said.
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