Plane Hijack: FAAN Suspends Aviation Security Unit Heads, Police Says Suspect Is ‘Nigerien’

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Police Command, has identified the man who climbed an aircraft at the airport on Friday as Usman Adamu from the neighbouring Republic of Niger.

The spokesperson for the Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, disclosed the identity of the 32-year-old Nigerien to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos.

Alabi said the Nigerien, who is currently being held by the command, could not speak or understand English Language.

He, however, said an investigation was still ongoing to ascertain how Adamu gained access to the heavily restricted area at the airport.

NAN reports that passengers aboard a Port Harcourt-bound Azman Air flight were thrown into panic on Friday after Adamu climbed the aircraft while it was about to take-off at the MMIA.

Following the development, FAAN placed on indefinite suspension, the Aviation Security Unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred.

FAAN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, had in a statement, said the agency viewed the breach as a serious security concern.

She said FAAN had begun an investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the incident to forestall future occurrence.