Lagos Airport Bomb Scare: FAAN Assures Passengers of Security

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said the 22-year-old physically challenged suspected suicide bomber who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (MMIA) on Monday did not  have access  to the terminal facilities, stating that he was arrested a kilometre away from the airport.

The suspect was arrested at the airport by security operatives while he was about to bomb the Centrex Unit of the NAMA along the MMIA, Lagos.

FAAN in a statement signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Yakubu Dati, therefore assured passengers of security and safety at the airport, insisting that all security protocol was always alert at the airport and that explained why the suspect was arrested in time before making his way to the sensitive area of the airport.

 He stated:

“The attention of the FAAN has been drawn to a story in some newspapers today (yesterday) alleging that there was a bomb scare at the international terminal of MMA August 18,” FAAN said.

The statement also noted that the suspect, “a man in his late 20s, was arrested at an area of the airport close to the church of the airport internal link road, leading to the stakeholders/limousine car park, a distance of about one kilometre to the international terminal.”

The statement explained that at the time of his arrest, the suspect was said to have been loitering around the said area all morning.

“This attracted the curiosity of security guards on duty at the entrance of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)’s CENTREX facility located along the airport internal link road, who promptly alerted the police.

“The suspect was alleged to be in possession of a device suspected to be used in making explosives. He was promptly handed over to the Airport Police Command for interrogation. While we appreciate the need to promptly report all suspicious characters to security agencies, it is important to always cross check the facts before going to press, to avoid sending the wrong signals to the public,” the agency said.

This came as the acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, yesterday ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Lagos Airport Command, Waheed Salau, to immediately transfer the suspect to the Anti-Robbery Squad in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the IG’s order came after the suspect allegedly confessed that he and two others now at large were sent to bomb the airport and other highly populated areas in Lagos State.

It also said the issue of safety and security of the airport has remained “our priority and the various security agencies are collaborating with us for a secure and safe environment.”

The organisation assured passengers and other airport users of adequate security at the Lagos airport as well as its avowed commitment to making safety and security top priority at all times.