The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has slammed an indefinite suspension on the Aviation Security unit heads.
A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said the action was taken to allow investigations into the circumstances of how a man gained access to a secure area of the the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Friday.
Recall that a man was sighted trying to climb into a Port Harcourt bound Azman aircraft waiting for clearance from Air Traffic Controllers.
Meanwhile, Yakubu, said replacements for the suspended officers have been appointed.
The statement read in part: “Following the unfortunate airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on July 19, 2019, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended indefinitely the Aviation Security unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of the ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.
“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.
“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 an investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of this incident to forestall future occurrence.”