PRESS RELEASE:

ANOTHER PLANE CRASH IN LAGOS:

ONE TRAGEDY TOO MANY

Another  plane has crashed in Lagos. The plane, belonging to Associated Airlines, crashlanded one minute after take off. The plane was headed for Akure with about 20 on board. It was conveying the corpse of deceased ex-Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, who was due for burial in his home town of Iju-Odo this weekend. Report indicated that 16 of the people on board died in the crash while there were four survivors. Widow of the deceased ex- Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, Funke, his first son; son of former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, Deji; son of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and owner of MIC Undertakers, Okusanya and workers of MIC are suspected to be among the victims.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commisserates with those who lost their beloved ones in this tragic plane mishap. We charge the Nigerian authorities to do something urgently to arrest the spate of air mishaps in the country. All aircrafts must be thoroughly inspected to ensure their airworthiness. Those found to be unfit should have their licences withdrawn. In addition, an inquiry must be conducted to identify the immediate and remote causes of this plane crash. Any person or persons found culpable must be made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as deterrent to such lapses in future.

We also nurse the fear that corruption in the aviation industry may have been responsible for the failure of aviation officials to detect faulty aircrafts and stop them from being used to ferry Nigerians. Nigerians must therefore come together to fight the corruption cankerworm which has eaten so deep into the anatomy of the nation.

Finally, MURIC condoles the Agagu family who appears to have borne the brunt of this crash. We feel the pains of all those who lost dear ones. May Allah strentghen them all and give them cause to smile again very soon.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
08182119714