Tinubu to depart for France today amid presidential jet seizure

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday (today) for a trip to Paris, France, marking his first official use of Nigeria’s newly acquired Airbus 330 presidential jet.

Topnaija.ng reports that the development was disclosed by the President’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Sunday night.

While the specifics of Tinubu’s engagements in France were not disclosed, Ngelale noted that the president would return to Nigeria after a “brief work stay” in the European country.

This trip comes after the recent release of the Airbus A330, one of three presidential jets previously detained in France following a court order.

Topnaija.ng understands that the Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Limited, which was involved in a legal dispute with Nigeria, allowed the release of the jet as a goodwill gesture to enable President Tinubu to attend the meeting in France.

Sources that spoke with Premium Times revealed that the Airbus A330 landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The aircraft was received by officials of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, led by Air Vice Marshal Olayinka Olusola.

The Airbus 330, a multi-engine prestige jet, is now Nigeria’s Airforce One, with registration number 5N-NGA.

The aircraft was purchased for over $100 million, significantly less than its estimated market value of $600 million.

The deal was brokered by L & L International LLC, an aviation firm based in Miami, Florida.

The acquisition of the new jet followed recommendations from the House of Representatives’ National Security and Intelligence Committee, which raised concerns about the safety and cost efficiency of the previously used 19-year-old B737-700 (BBJ).

The committee recommended replacing some of the ageing and unserviceable aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational costs.