By Gideon Njoku
But for the alertness of the pilot of a private jet, Nigeria and its largest airline, Airpeace, might have been engulfed in a disaster.
Even then, the major security breach, which involved a young man, who rushed out from the bush, and climbed into the wheels of a fully loaded Airpeace morning flight from the Murtalla Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, to Owerri, already taxing to take-off, not only stunned airport users, but has put a big question mark on the safety of passengers at the very busy airport.
The 25-year-old man had already succeeded, and the aircraft would have taken off, but for the private airline’s pilot who alerted the Airpeace pilot.
The flight was, thereafter, aborted, and passengers deboarded, for another round of security checks.
Questions have been coming like claps of thunder since the incident Friday morning.
Many air passengers are asking: How did the youngman climb into the wheel of an aircraft in broad daylight, undetected?
Where were Airport Security personnel? What if he was a terrorist? Where was everybody? Was the airplane not thoroughly checked before it began to taxi off?
A statement from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, offered an explanation.
The statement said the intruder was obviously a stowaway. On arrest, after a struggle, according to the statement, the intruder said he thought the plane was flying out of the country. It, also, reassured air passengers of their safety.
Consoling as that is, not a few people recall that this has happened before. They insist such a major security breach is embarrassing to the country, and called for more vigilance.
Following is the statement from FAAN.
“At about 0850hrs of 27th December 2019, a young man of about 25yrs was sighted around the air field by FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel manning the Charlie One (C1) link/holding area.
“In a swift response, the AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area rushed to stop his further movement towards a taxiing Air Peace aircraft numbered APK 7252 and with registration number(CS-TQU) and a struggle ensued. All efforts to stop the intruder by the unarmed AVSEC personnel failed as the intruder continued to resist arrest.
“While the struggle was ongoing, the AVSEC personnel called for reinforcement and alerted the pilot of CS-TQU of the intrusion , and to delay the aircraft to allow for a successful apprehension of the intruder.
“The intruder was eventually apprehended by the AVSEC personnel with the support of the reinforcement and has been taken into custody for investigations.
“The aircraft was also advised to return to base for necessary safety/ security inspections in line with standard procedure. Subsequently, The aircraft departed lagos at 10:16, with 171 passengers, and 6 crew
“The MD of FAAN in company with the Directors of Aviation Security services, and Airport operations, ,the Regional General Manager (SW) and the Airport Chief of Security (MMA) inspected the site of the incident and discussed with the Captain of the aircraft, who commended the action of the Aviation Security team. According to him, it was timely and professional in protecting the flight as he was not even aware of any intrusion until they alerted him.”
