A middle aged man yesterday breached the security of the Murtala Muhammed Airports (MMA), Lagos threatening the take off of Medview Airlines aircraft and passengers bound for Abuja.
Our correspondent learnt that the B737 aircraft belonging to Medview Airline had on board close to 100 passengers.
A top official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who works at the airfield of the airport, said the incident happened at about 1.51pm when a ‘mad man’ gained access to the security area of the airport using the several porous route in Shasha area of the airport
The source said the captain of the aircraft on landing; saw a man who was walking across the airplane, leading to the crew blasting him which he said led to severe burns to the man.
“The man is a director of a company at Shasha who developed madness. He was carrying a bag. He was taken away immediately the incident happened.” the source said
The incident is happening few minutes after a security expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Securities, Capt John Ojikutu warned that most Nigerian airports does not have security fence.
He added that what Nigerian airports have is perimeter fence, adding that with this most of the airport are not safe.
Ojikutu stated that when the International Civil Aviation Organisation(ICAO) visited in 2006,it directed that if Nigeria cannot construct perimeter fence ,it should build security fence, but regretted that up till this moment that has not be done.
Recalled that for several years, people living along Shasha, Ejigbo and Akowonjo areas of Lagos, build houses very close to the runway, with many other activities right inside the airport.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Yakubu Dati confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday.
According to Dati Vigilant Aviation Security (AVSEC) staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)on December 2, 2015, apprehended a man, Mr. Alabibu Olushola, who according to him was attempting to stow away in a taxing aircraft on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA),Lagos.
According to him, “The culprit was arrested as soon as he scaled the perimeter fence near the moving aircraft and after interrogation by the AVSEC staff, he was immediately handed over to the police for further interrogation.”
He continued, “The authority wishes to remind members of the public that access to restricted areas of the airport, including the tarmac and perimeter roads, is prohibited for unauthorized people, including airport staff, who have no business being there. This is more so in view of the present security situation in the country.”
Dati stated that the authority would henceforth not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person, including unauthorised airport staff, who is found loitering around restricted areas of airports.
Media Consultant to Medview, Mr Obuke Oyibotha, also confirmed the incident.
He stated that the management of Medview Airline commended the crew of one of its flight for assisting security agencies to arrest a man at the runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos
His reaction is contained in a statement made available to journalists yesterday.
He explained that the action of the crew, which led to the arrest and the return of the aircraft to the tarmac for security check was in line with ICAO recommended best practices on aviation security.
According to him, “The Maiduguri bound aircraft via Abuja was taxing to the threshold for take-off when the pilot sited a man on the active runway and alerted the control tower on his observation and requested for aviation security personnel.”
He continued, “While still taxiing, the pilot noticed that the same man has crossed to the threshold, and was moving towards the aircraft, and had to alert the control tower again for security. The man got entangled with the engine thrust pilot increased the speed of the engine before he was picked up by security agents.”
He added that the pilot asked for permission to return to base, where security agencies including Bomb Disposal Squad conducted a thorough check on all passengers, luggage and the entire aircraft and appropriate clearance was given.
