Incursion: Dangers of sloppy airport security
The intrusion into the runway of Lagos airport by a foreigner, who was found close to a fully loaded aircraft, has again exposed security lapses at Nigerian airports, as the nation’s aviation security system constantly fails to anticipate threats, writes WOLE SHADARE
Caught napping
Not only the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) saw the incursion into a sensitive part of Lagos airport where a Nigerien, Usman Adamu, beat security architecture to crawl out and climb an aeroplane set for departure as a huge embarrassment, many people were stunned at the seeming porous nature of the nation’s airports. Unlike in the past when FAAN engaged in bulk passing, the Managing Director of the agency, Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, owned up to the inability of the agency to rise up to the issue when it mattered most.In fact, in all of this, FAAN did not cover itself in glory. A stunned Yadudu, who was elevated to his current position about two months ago in a press conference, held at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Saturday, said the agency took full responsibility of what it described as an embarrassment.
Inquest
As a first step to its in-house inquest, FAAN hurriedly suspended indefinitely the aviation security unit heads, who were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.
The intruder was seen in a viral video emerging from the engine of Azman B737-500 aircraft. After emerging from the engine, he climbed the roof of the engine and tried to gain access to the aircraft cabin.
The situation caused pandemonium as passengers screamed asking for the door of the plane to be opened for them to disembark.
The affected officers are the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku, International Terminal Security Officer, Oni Adedamola Abiodun, Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Owotor Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Badejo Adebowale Ayodele.
The management had equally commenced thorough investigation towards the recovery and sustenance of the airport’s proactive security integrity.
What happened last week may have been foretold by experts and stakeholders, who have taken FAAN to task over what they view as poor handling of security at the airports especially at Nigeria’s busiest airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
Carelessness
In the current climate of insecurity in Nigeria and other parts of the world, it is unthinkable that airport security officials would be so careless as to allow a man from Republic of Niger carry out a stunt on a passenger airplane that was set for take-off from Lagos to Port-Harcourt.
To use a tired cliché: Wonders shall never cease in our airports. How did that happen? Was it a one-off act intended to dare the devil? Was it a deliberate attempt by the young man to prove a point, to underscore the poor security procedures in our airports?
Has this particular incident drawn the country’s attention to what is already known about the keenness of airport security officials to approach their job with total disregard for the safety of travellers?
No matter how it is seen, the security gaffe occurred because FAAN’s security staff went to sleep. There was obvious case of negligence.
The security breach and blunder have made news across the world. It is the kind of event that attracts negative media coverage of the country. It is the kind of unimaginable security infringement that makes the world to express surprise whenever the tight security procedures in place at the nation’s airports are being discussed.
Recurrence
This is not the first time the country would be regaled with issues like this. In 2013 and 2014, the country witnessed about 17 security breaches.
In 2017, security lapses at airports gained notoriety as a private jet 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 while taxiing on Murtala Muhammed airport’s runway 18L.
The Bombardier Challenger 605 jet, with registration number T7-A00, was said to have arrived Lagos from Uyo about 8:33p.m 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 opened by burglars and promptly notified 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 Centre, a private jet hangar, the pilot discovered that two bags belonging to Ms. Savage and Wizkid had been stolen by the airport bandits.
On December 12, 2017, a Vistajet jet with registration number 9H-VFA operated by Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Limited was robbed on the runway 18R of the airport by bandits when taxiing to the hangar of EAN.
The jet was arriving from Istanbul between 2110-2130hrs when the robbery took place after landing in Lagos.
Bulk passing
There were similar incidents that happened after that. Rather than tackle the issue headlong, FAAN was in denial of the incident.
“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.
“Although investigations are still on-going, FAAN would 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,” Henrietta Yakubu, spokeswoman said.
Priority
In countries in which the rules governing the safety of passengers are strictly enforced, airport security is accorded the highest priority.
Unfortunately, over here, things are done differently as too many things are taken for granted. Ever since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, virtually all countries have reviewed and strengthened their airport security apparatus.
Strangely, the domestic airports in particular have continued to do business as usual as if the premises are immune to terrorist attacks that occur elsewhere.
Following the latest embarrassment at Lagos airport, the management of FAAN and other security agencies have been pledging that security procedures will be reviewed and rigorously enforced.
Expert’s view
A former Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (Rtd) advised government to urgently provide funds to build perimeter and security fences at the airports, regretting that no airport in the country has comprehensive perimeter fencing, which exposes them to incursions by unauthorised persons.
He noted that it was the mercy of God that none of the nation’s airports had been attacked by terrorists or other dangerous persons because the security apparatus at the airports cannot prevent access by unscrupulous elements.
“The major problem we have in our airports in terms of security is perimeter fencing. There is no airport in this country that has comprehensive perimeter fence. MMIA, Lagos, is fenced but that fence is open at Ejigbo, Shasha and Ajao Estate areas.
“Anybody can have access to the airport through these places. The security operatives on duty at this airport are at the mercy of God because they cannot monitor every part of the airport.
“We need standard fence. The air-side of the airport is not adequately covered with Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. The security personnel that monitor activities at the airport have only three patrolling vehicles for four terminals, which include the international, the domestic terminal, the general aviation terminal and the cargo terminal,” he noted.
Last line
This appears to be the usual erratic, hurried and haphazard response to a major security incident. The latest pledges will soon evaporate and the country returns to its clumsiness.
Negligent security officials cut corners, solicit bribes. Those who have jobs approach their tasks with sloppy attitude. The safety of air travellers is still compromised by airport security officials with wrong attitude to their job.
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