The military airport commandant, Group Captain E. D. Okolo, has warned persons residing in the precincts of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to desist from accessing the airside through the perimeter fence.
The warning is contained in a press statement entitled ‘Notification order to “restrain” persons encroaching into MMIA through the perimeter fence’ issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Obiageli Orah, at the weekend.
According to the statement encroaching into the airport is “highly prohibited” and any offender risks “prosecution or possibly being shot at.”
“There has been incessant incursion into the airside of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, as a result, the Military Airport Commandant , Group Captain ED Okolo has issued a “A restraining order” against anyone caught trying to gain access into the runway of the airport through the perimeter fence.
“It has been observed that there is an increased rate of incursion into the airside, through the perimeter fence, with far-reaching consequences.
“Furthermore, theft of Runway lighting occurred not too long ago. All these occurrences undermine the safety and security of the airport.
“This practice does not only undermine the security of the system but also imposes a huge financial burden on the Authority as damaged or stolen critical facilities must be replaced.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is therefore appealing to the general public to please desist from illegal incursion into the airport environment through the perimeter fence.
“Perimeter encroachment is highly prohibited and criminal offenders risk prosecution or possibly being shot at,” Orah said.
Besides, she said all illegal structure around the airport would be pulled down.
Furthermore, FAAN appealed to persons who do not have any business at the airport to stay away.
“Anyone caught touting or loitering at the airport vicinity will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) has intensified their operations and made several arrest recently,” she added.
