Panic as Intruder Targets Aircraft with 171 Passengers at MMA Lagos

Ololade Adeyanju/

A potential disaster was averted today at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos when an intruder was arrested after gaining unauthorised access to the tarmac and charged towards a taxiing Air Peace aircraft numbered APK 7252.

The male intruder said to be about 25 years old was reportedly intercepted at about 8.50 am by a vigilant Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel manning the Charlie One (C1) link/holding area of the airport.

An eyewitness who narrated the incident to NewsmakersNG said the intruder was moving toward an aircraft which was preparing for takeoff with 171 passengers when he was spotted by the security personnel.

The eyewitness who did not want to be named further stated: ‘The AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area rushed to stop his further movement to a taxiing aircraft (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 was taken into custody for investigations.

“The aircraft was also advised to return to base for necessary safety/security inspections in line with standard procedure.”

According to the eyewitness, the aircraft eventually departed Lagos at 10.15 am with the 171 passengers and six crew members.

Air Peace has confirmed in a statement that it owns the aircraft.

It says that the passenger aeroplane was heading for Owerri, the Imo State capital and that it was taxing towards the threshold for take-off when a man in his twenties emerged from the bush along the runway and tried to gain access to the aircraft through the wheel-well.

The statement says: “There was a private jet behind the aircraft. The pilot in command of the private jet informed the Air Peace pilot in command that a young man obviously in his twenties was trying to force his way into the aircraft.

“The security wing of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was alerted and the man was accosted and whisked away. He is currently in the regulator’s custody. When interrogated on why he took the action, the man stated that he thought the aircraft was headed overseas. We commend FAAN for its timely intervention. The regulator is investigating the incident.”

NewsmakersNG also learnt that the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu, in the company of the Directors of Aviation Security Services, Group Capt. USA Sadiq (retd) and Airport Operations, Capt. Mukhtar Muye, the Regional General Manager (South West), Mrs Victoria Shina-Aba and the Airport Chief of Security (MMA), Mr S.M Mamman inspected the site of the incident.

The delegation also reportedly discussed with the Captain of the aircraft before takeoff.

It was learnt that the captain described the action of the AVSEC personnel as “timely and professional” because “he was not even aware of any intrusion until he waa alerted”.

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