The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has deployed 10 additional hilux patrol vehicles to the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to improve the level of security surveillance.
This is coming on the heels of alleged frequent reports of attempted opening of the cargo hold of aircraft while holding on the runway of the domestic and international wing of the airports.
The recent was an attempt on an AirPeace aircraft Abuja bound flight by suspected thieves at the domestic wing of the Lagos airport.
The airline said the cargo hold of the aircraft while holding for departure on Runway 18R (A1)was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut.
In a statement issued this Friday,Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said, “Pilot-in-Command, Captain Adesola Arasi had to contact control tower when he was alerted by the light that came on in the cockpit suggesting that the cargo hold was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut”.
“In line with our high security standards and the huge value we place on the lives of our guests and crew, Capt. Arasi insisted on having EOD squad check Flight APK 7138 before takeoff to be doubly sure nothing was deposited in the cargo hold by the suspected thieves to endanger the lives of our guests and crew”.
So far, there had been four incidents of reported attempt on aircraft at the airport by suspected thieves.
Spokesman for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said, the deployment of these vehicles was one of the measures being adopted by the Authority to enhance operational efficiency and also boost security procedures at the airport.
She said assured airport users and the general public that the the Authority would continue to upgrade its facilities, processes and procedures, in consonance with its core values of security, safety and comfort.
