By Adesina Soyooye
Reasons have been given why a staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, was killed by terrorists at the Kaduna Airport.
In a worrisome incident on Saturday, March 26, terrorists invaded the Kaduna Airport and prevented an Azman Aircraft’s first flight from Kaduna to Lagos from taking off. They, also, shot and killed a NAMA staff.
The NAMA staff was the first person who saw the terrorists approaching in their scores, on motorcycles. He raised the alarm which attracted the attention of Security operatives who aborted what could have been more embarrassing than it already is.
The Kaduna State Government, in a statement, by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the circumstances which led to the killing of the NAMA staff.
Part of the statement reads:
“Security forces have reported that an attack by armed bandits was repelled in the vicinity of the Kaduna International Airport.
“Troops stationed within and around the Airport responded and repelled the attackers.
“However, the bandits, unfortunately, shot and killed a staff member stationed at the perimeter fence who raised alarm on sighting them.
“Airport operation resumed with scheduled flights departing after the incident.”
In an update on the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, admitted that the Airport’s Runway 05 was attacked Saturday morning.
In a statement signed by its Ag. Corporate General Manager, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, FAAN said it “regrets to state that a group of bandits attacked the Runway 05 Axis of Kaduna Airport earlier in the day (Saturday).”
It said there was a casualty, but that Security Operatives repelled the attack and recovered two motorcycles used by the terrorists.
This magazine learnt that Authorities at the Airport had a prior notice of the attack, but did not take it seriously.
A couple of weeks ago, it is alleged, some staff members of the Airport were kidnapped and released after ransom money was paid.
The released victims who came back a few days back, had, allegedly, disclosed that the terrorists said they would invade the Airport.
Kaduna has been under serious insecurity siege with terrorists having a free reign – bombing, kidnapping, killing. The audacity to attack the Airport has become the most scary, and has shaken the nation.
There is the fear that commercial flights, on low altitude, landing or taking off, could be at risk.
Authorities say such fears should be perished, and not entertained.
