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Nigeria's airport authority conceals thefts from aircraft: report
NIGERIA's Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) has moved to cover up burglaries and cargo theft from aircraft at Lagos airport, reports New York-based SaharaReporters.
The cover-up is because FAAN had recently won an award for its high safety and security standards from the national civil aviation authority, said an insider.
The latest incidents involve two private jets which were attacked paused in the course of taxiing on the runway. In both cases they had luggage stolen from their cargo holds on the runway of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, said the report.
In a press statement, FAAN said a committee has been set up to investigate the December 12 attack on Vistajet could but could not ascertain the veracity of the recent attack on a Bombardier Challenger 605.
SaharaReporters said it is standing by its story about that attack, corroborated by Nigerian hip-hop artist, Tiwa Savage, who took to her Instagram page to vent frustration about the December 26 incident.
Ms Savage and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, aka "Wizkid" were aboard the chartered private jet from Uyo in Akwa Ibom state when upon landing in Lagos, pilot Cloud Cote announced to passengers that his dashboard showed that someone had opened the cargo door while awaiting take off.
The pilot radioed the control tower to alert security officials but no one arrived. Thieves stole Ms Savage and Wizkid's bags and closed the cargo door and disappeared.
An incident report showed that an entry was made by FAAN security officials noting the exact time of the incident, said the newsportal.
On Instagram Ms Savage revealed how they were robbed on the runway, but airport officials assured Wizkid and Ms Savage that would retrieve their bags, and promised to compensate them if they agreed to keep quiet.
While Wizkid agreed to await the completion of the investigation, Ms Savage did not agree and detailed the incident on her Instagram page.
The FAAN staff said this was not first time such incidents occurred at the airport, adding that apart, saying that aircraft as large a Boeing 737s are frequently attacked on the runway at night.
Said one insider: "We know why FAAN is talking like this. It's because the airport three months ago was certified for safety and security by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)."
The cover-up is because FAAN had recently won an award for its high safety and security standards from the national civil aviation authority, said an insider.
The latest incidents involve two private jets which were attacked paused in the course of taxiing on the runway. In both cases they had luggage stolen from their cargo holds on the runway of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, said the report.
In a press statement, FAAN said a committee has been set up to investigate the December 12 attack on Vistajet could but could not ascertain the veracity of the recent attack on a Bombardier Challenger 605.
SaharaReporters said it is standing by its story about that attack, corroborated by Nigerian hip-hop artist, Tiwa Savage, who took to her Instagram page to vent frustration about the December 26 incident.
Ms Savage and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, aka "Wizkid" were aboard the chartered private jet from Uyo in Akwa Ibom state when upon landing in Lagos, pilot Cloud Cote announced to passengers that his dashboard showed that someone had opened the cargo door while awaiting take off.
The pilot radioed the control tower to alert security officials but no one arrived. Thieves stole Ms Savage and Wizkid's bags and closed the cargo door and disappeared.
An incident report showed that an entry was made by FAAN security officials noting the exact time of the incident, said the newsportal.
On Instagram Ms Savage revealed how they were robbed on the runway, but airport officials assured Wizkid and Ms Savage that would retrieve their bags, and promised to compensate them if they agreed to keep quiet.
While Wizkid agreed to await the completion of the investigation, Ms Savage did not agree and detailed the incident on her Instagram page.
The FAAN staff said this was not first time such incidents occurred at the airport, adding that apart, saying that aircraft as large a Boeing 737s are frequently attacked on the runway at night.
Said one insider: "We know why FAAN is talking like this. It's because the airport three months ago was certified for safety and security by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)."
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