Azman Air, an airline operational in Nigeria, has distanced itself from Jamil Abubakar, a pilot who expressed support for the killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.
Following the gruesome murder, several reactions trailed the attack, and one of them was that of Abubakar, who is also the son of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar and also a son-in-law to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Captain Jamil Abubakar is married to Dangote’s daughter, Fatima Dangote.
In a tweet made on Sunday afternoon via @AzmanAir, its official Twitter handle, the airline said Abubakar last flew an Azman plane in December 2019.
It tweeted, “Capt. Jamil Abubakar is no longer a pilot @AzmanAir; his last flight with us was 22nd Dec, 2019.“We refuse to take responsibility for a comment or view of a former staffer. The general public should kindly take note.”
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Capt Jamil Abubakar is no longer a pilot @AzmanAir; his last flight with us was 22nd Dec 2019.
We refuse to take responsibility for a comment or view of a former staff.
The General Public should kindly take note.https://t.co/oLk6RqyUJ0#LetsFlyAzmanAir pic.twitter.com/KP8mjCLmlU
— AzmanAir – #LetsFlyAzmanAir (@AzmanAir) May 15, 2022
The disclaimer came after social media users condemned Azman Air and pledged to not patronise it after its rumoured links with Abubakar.
Abubakar, in a now deleted tweet, had said, “In Islam, we respect the Injil, Taura, (and) Zabur. We were never taught to disrespect any of the books or any of the prophets from Adam to Muhammad SAW & the Quran.
“The punishment for blasphemy is DEATH in most religions, including Christianity,” he wrote.
Following this tweet, several social media users blacklisted Azman Air, and described Abubakar as a terrorist who may jeopardise their air travel.
For instance a doctor identified as @OurFavOnlineDoc had responded stating, “Since you believe the ‘punishment’ for blasphemy is death, and you are a practicing Muslim pilot, if someone in your cockpit makes a blasphemous statement midair, please what will you do ? I’m asking on behalf of 200 people on your flight.”
Another tweet by Ferdy with tweeter handle @Burmese_Tyga_ stated, “A pilot that publicly advocates for jungle justice and death penalty for blasphemy can only work in a Nigerian airline. That opinion will have your licence banned in America before your next scheduled flight.”
Abubakar has since deleted the tweet which incited the protest, despite saying he can’t be held responsible for what the scriptures says about blasphemy, even though its different from his personal view.
