Nigeria Releases Russian Cargo Plane

The country’s defence chiefs announced on Twitter that the “Antonov” aircraft was held pending an investigation into its provenance and what it was carrying.

As a result during the investigation any weapons or military ammunition were not found on board. The Russian Embassy in Nigeria reported previously that the aircraft was used for transportation of cargo by French peacekeeping mission in Chad.

Meanwhiel prio to the release of the plane,Premium Times reports that sources at the Aminu Kano International Airport, where the plane is currently detained, said Sheriff, who was widely accused of sponsoring Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria visited the Kano airport at about 10 p.m. on Saturday and held discussions with some officials on the possibility of releasing the aircraft.

“I was there and I saw him and two airport security officials accompanying him to inspect the plane. I saw the black helicopters and two bullet proof SUVs. I also heard him (Mr. Sheriff) say verbal directive had been given from Abuja for the release of the plane but that authorities of the airport were insisting on written directive,” the sources said.

Naij