NFF Rates ARIK High, Says Plane Engine Not Lost

As part of ways to cover up for Arik Air while conveying Nigeria's Olympic team to Gambia, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has declared that ARIK Air remains one of the best airlines in the world, and that it would continue to patronize the airline for its efficiency and excellent safety record.

The Nigeria Football Federation through its website, www.thenff.com, reported that the ARIK Air aircraft conveying the team from Lagos lost a tyre on landing at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. 

The airplane that was on ground in Accra was then deployed for the purpose of flying the team to The Gambia, but that also lost an engine on take –off and the pilot had to make a quick return.

However, ARIK provided another aircraft that flew the delegation to The Gambia through Dakar.

Just as ARIK Air came out on Sunday night to explain that its plane conveying the Nigeria's Olympic team  to The Gambia for a training camp did not lose an engine, NFF President Amaju Pinnick on Monday regretted the misunderstanding that led to panic reports of ‘lost engine’ and ‘near plane crash.’

Pinnick stated: “I was contacted immediately after the incident and I know that the airplane was not in any serious problem. When these things happen, the tendency is for people to sensationalize.

“ARIK Air has remained one of the safest and best airlines, and we will continue to patronize them. They have provided us excellent services in recent times, flying the Super Eagles to and from Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Swaziland, without any untoward incident.”

Pinnick commended the aircraft in ARIK’s fleet and said the airline’s safety precautions are marvelous.

“They have flown us with their excellent Boeing 737-800 and the Bombardier Jet in recent times, and players and officials have never had any reason to complain.” ARIK flew the Super Eagles to and from Tanzania for a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September, flew the Eagles B delegation to and from Burkina Faso for a 2016 African Nations Championship qualifier in October and also flew the Super Eagles to and from Swaziland for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier last week.

The NFF on Monday reiterated the statement by ARIK Air’s public relations and communications manager, Banji Ola, that “the captain saw an indication light and as a precautionary measure, he had to make an air return. It was not a case of lost engine.

“There was no case of lost engine. It is true that the one that flew the team from Lagos lost one tyre while landing in Accra. As for the other airplane, the pilot only saw an indication light and made an air return as a precautionary measure.

“ARIK immediately made arrangement for another aircraft to fly the team to The Gambia.”

The Nigeria U-23 delegation has since arrived and settled down in The Gambia, where the team is undergoing a 10 –day training program ahead of the 2^nd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations starting in Senegal on November 28.