The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended four heads of aviation security unit who were on duty when an unidentified man climbed an Azman aircraft at the Lagos airport on Friday morning.
FAAN’s general manager, public affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.
Mrs Yakubu said the suspension of the personnel was pending the completion of ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.
It was not clear how the intruder reached the plane or what his intention was, but a viral video of the incident showed panicked passengers who appeared eager to flee the plane.
“Following the unfortunate airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on July 19, the authority has suspended indefinitely the aviation security unit heads.
“The personnel that were suspended were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.
“The affected officers are the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku and International Terminal Security Officer, Oni Abiodun.
“Others are the Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Adebowale Ayodele,” she said.
Yakubu said in the interim, a general manager, Dr Anne Enyinnaya-Egbadon, had been detailed to take charge of security at the airport.
She said other affected officers had also been replaced.
Yakubu said the current arrangement was aimed at ensuring an efficient and thorough investigation towards the recovery and sustenance of the airport’s proactive security integrity.
She added that FAAN viewed the breach as a serious security concern and had commenced investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of that incident to forestall future occurrence.
