Again, bandits robbed music stars’ jet at Lagos airport, FAAN dispels allegation
- Holds emergency security meeting
- It’s insiders’ job-Ojikutu
The security lapses at the country may have found expression at the nation’s airports, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed Airports, Lagos as bandits have continued to rob airlines taxiing to their final stops.
Consequently, the high echelon of security operatives met today trying to investigate the incident.
While the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) denied such incident ever happened, but a source close to the operations of the aircraft said the incident which he said has become a regular occurrence indeed happened describing it as ‘embarrassing’.
The meeting was necessitated when a private jet allegedly carrying two top Nigerian musical artists, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun aka “Wizkid” and Tiwa Savage from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state was attacked and robbed Tuesday night while taxiing on Lagos airport’s runway 18L.
Spokeswoman for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed the meeting when Woleshadare.net called her on phone.
In a statement issued late today and signed by Mrs. Yakubu “amidst allegations of poaching of aircraft and stealing of baggage at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby dispels such allegations as baseless and practically impossible”.
The Authority stated that it is not possible for anyone to burgle an aircraft in motion. Furthermore, because aircraft are highly technical machines, it is practically impossible for anyone who does not have the requisite training and competence to operate or tamper with the baggage compartment.
It would be recalled that two incidents of alleged poaching were recently reported, the latest being that which occurred on a chartered flight from Uyo to Lagos on the December 26th, 2017.
FAAN noted that in both instances, preliminary findings from investigations conducted by an inter-agency committee set up to probe the allegations could not substantiate the claims, adding that the purported victims in the said cases also did not make themselves available for questioning, in the quest to unravel the case.
She said although investigations are still on going, FAAN will like to reassure travellers and the general public that with the level of safety and security systems on ground at the airports, it is practically impossible for an aircraft to be burgled within our Runways and Aprons.
The Bombardier Challenger 605 jet with registration number T7-A00 was said to have arrived Lagos from Uyo about 8:33 pm and was slowly taxiing to the arrival hangar when the cargo compartment was burgled.
The jet slowed to allow an Ethiopian Airline cargo plane with registration number ET-ARH to push back for take-off.
The pilot, Captain Cloud Cote was said to have noticed the cargo door had been opened by burglars and promptly notified Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security, but the burglars had disappeared before FAAN officials could make it to the point where the attack took place.
Upon arrival at Quits Aviation Center, a private jet hangar, the pilot discovered that two bags belonging to Ms. Savage and Wizkid had been stolen by the airport bandits.
FAAN has only one escort’s vehicle for arriving and departing aircraft for the entire airport which handles at least 200 flights daily.
On December 16, 2017, had revealed that a Vistajet jet with the registration number 9H-VFA operated by Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Ltd was robbed on December 12, 2017, on the runway was 18R of the airport by unknown bandits when taxiing to the hangar of EAN.
The jet was arriving from Istanbul between 2110-2130hrs the robbery took place after landing in Lagos. A black bag belonging to a flight attendant was stolen from the incident.
Penultimate week, unknown bandits robbed an aircraft shortly after it landed at the Lagos airport from Istanbul. The attack was carried out as the airplane was taxiing to the hangar.
Immediately after this happened, FAAN commenced investigation on alleged robbery incident on an aircraft, which occurred on December 12, 2017. The incident was reported to have occurred on a Vista Jet aircraft with Call Sign VJT 584, while taxiing on the night of the said date.
The jet arrived from Istanbul between 2110- 2130hrs after landing in Lagos. The source said the pilot of the jet, Captain Emma Heering, discovered that the rear door of the aircraft was opened while taxiing to the hangar of EAN after which it was discovered that a big black bag belonging to the air hostess, Francesca Louis, was missing from the jet.
Speaking on the incident, former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu said FAAN needs to look inward, describing it as ‘insiders’ job’.
His words, “it is insider job.’ Somebody somewhere is responsible for this. They should thoroughly investigate people from General Aviation (GA). What is the mode of retrenchment of staff or those who are not well compensated”.
“Secondly, you go back to airport operators. They need to something on secondary fence. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has told us since 2014. The audit report of 2014, 2015 specifically mentioned secondary fence to cover the operational areas. We need to start looking at that”, he added.
