Lagos airport security breach: FAAN fires security heads, begins probe

The hammer has fallen on top aviation security officers following the unfortunate airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos early today.

Embarrassed by the security lapses at the Lagos airport that led to a man gaining access to sterile area of the airport, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) 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.

A statement by FAAN’s spokeswoman, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu stated that in the interim, a General Manager of the Authority, Dr. Anne Enyinnaya-Egbadon, has been detailed to take charge of security at the airport. Other affected officers have also been replaced.

The current arrangement is aimed at ensuring an efficient and thorough investigation towards the recovery and sustenance of the airport’s proactive security integrity.

FAAN views this breach as a serious security concern and has commenced investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of this incident to forestall future occurrenc