Arik Scare: I Took Galadima To Maiduguri –SSG’s Wife

Wife of the Secretary to Borno State Government, Hajiya Yacilla Baba Ahmed Jidda, yesterday confirmed that she took Aminu Galadima, the man who caused panic onboard Abuja bound Arik Air to Maiduguri to do interior decoration work in her family’s private residence. Yacilla said Galadima is an interior decorator that specializes in paintings, adding that it wasn’t long she met him.

“The account of the incident given by the SSS (State Security Service) is absolutely correct. The only thing I would add here is that there was a gap in communication when he was picked by security agents at the airport in Abuja.

“I met him (Aminu) through one of his friends after I saw some of his works. He (Galadima) took me to his show room in Abuja and from there, we agreed that he will come down to Maiduguri and do some works for me.

“It was a day after we arrived Maiduguri that we realized he has some health challenges and we did what we could to assist him. I contacted the person that introduced Aminu to me and we also contacted his family and they advised that we should take him to Abuja as soon as he stabilizes.

“Two of his (Aminu) brothers as well as his sister were at the airport in Abuja on Tuesday, waiting to take him home. However, in view of what happened in the plane, Aminu was taken away by the SSS and his handset was seized and switched off and thereafter he was taken to the SSS headquarters. This is what actually confounded the problem because there was no communication.

“Much later, his relatives at the airport became agitated when they didn’t see him… that was when they contacted me and I reassured them that he was actually on the plane. It also occurred to me that there might have been a problem, as such, I told them to go to the Arik (Air) desk and enquire. Immediately the relatives told me that there was a problem involving Aminu, I alerted my husband who also contacted security agencies,” Yacilla said.

“It is very unfortunate that the whole thing ended this way but God has reason for everything. As far as I know, Aminu is from humble background without any questionable character,” she added.