…plans to jet out of the country
A stowaway has been found in the wheel of an Air Peace Owerri-bound aircraft, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport I, in Ikeja, Lagos.
The man, who is in his 20s, said he thought it was an international flight.
He has, however, been summarily arrested by security men.
In the early hours of Friday, the man had emerged from the bush along the runway of the airport and was trying to gain access to the wheel of the aircraft as it was taxing to takeoff.
The pilot was alerted by another pilot of a private jet, who informed security personnel attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who whisked the man away, according to the airline’s spokesman, Mr Stanley Olisa.
“This morning (Dec. 27) at exactly 9:10 at the MMA1 Lagos, an Owerri-bound Air Peace aircraft(flight P47252) was taxing towards the threshold for take-off, when a man, in his twenties, emerged from the bush along the runway, and tried to gain access to the aircraft through the wheel-well.
“There was a private jet behind the aircraft. The pilot in command of the private jet informed the Air Peace pilot in command that a young man obviously in his twenties, was trying to force his way into the aircraft.
“The security wing of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, was alerted and the man was accosted and whisked away. He is currently in the regulator’s custody,’’ a statement said.
On interrogation, the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, said he thought the aircraft was travelling outside the country.
“We commend FAAN for its timely intervention. The regulator is already investigating the incident.
“Air Peace remains committed to the safety of its customers and will continue to demonstrate this commitment in all aspects of its operations. At Air Peace, safety is at the heart of what we do,’’ the statement added.
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