After man climbs onto an Azman aircraft ready for take-off, FAAN suspends aviation security unit heads

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that a man, who climbed an Azman Airplane which was ready for take-off, has been arrested and kept in custody.

Passengers aboard the Port Harcourt-bound flight had panicked on Friday after the yet-to-be-identified man climbed the aircraft while it was about to take off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

A video shot by one of the passengers showed that the man climbed the aircraft wing and deposited a bag inside one of the engines.

FAAN in a statement by its spokesperson, Henrietta Yakubu, stated that it is investigating the intrusion.

The authority also said it has suspended indefinitely the aviation security unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of an ongoing investigation into the security infringement.

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The statement reads: “At about 10:09 hours, aviation security officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria arrested an intruder who was sighted trying to climb into an Azman aircraft waiting for clearance from Air Traffic Controllers,” she said.

“The pilot of the Azman aircraft with registration number 5N-HAI departing Lagos to Port Harcourt reported the incident and Avsec officials swiftly responded. The man has been apprehended and is now in Avsec’s custody.

“The aircraft taxied back to the apron for a thorough check and has departed for Port Harcourt afterwards.

“The Authority is already investigating the incident. FAAN is committed to its core values of Safety, Security and Comfort.”

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