Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL), which operates the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, has disclosed that the 14-year-old stowaway found in United Nigeria Airlines aircraft parked in the terminal gained access to the airside through an opening in airport perimeter fence along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Spokesperson for BASL, Ms. Oluwatosin Onalaja, said in a statement that the boy identified as Rasheed Mufutau was picked up from the aircraft on Sunday, September 4 following a report by UNA that a 14-year-old stowaway boy was found “unconscious inside one of their aircraft.”
Onalaja said Mufutau had been discharged from the hospital – where he was given first-aid treatment after his rescue) and taken to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Crime Office at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport along with United Nigeria Security Guard for further interrogation.
She said the clandestine traveller, who is an orphan and hails from Kwara State, had confessed that he was tired of the country and wanted to travel out.
“The incident boy was brought out of the aircraft and taken to the MMA2 clinic for first aid medical attention. He was later transferred for further treatment to the FAAN clinic where he regained consciousness at about 10:20a.m.
“Upon further interrogation by a combined team of BASL AVSEC and FAAN Aviation Security Officers, the following information was obtained from the boy:
*His name is Rasheed Mufutau.
*He is 14years old.
*He lives in Badagry but hails from Kwara State.
*He is an orphan.
*He gained access into the airside through an opening at Ile- Zik along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
*His intention was to travel, as he was tired of the country.
*He passed through General Aviation Terminal, Air Force hanger and walked down to MMA2 where he hid himself at the Apron.
*He saw staff on duty at GAT and Air Force hanger but dodged them and passed through the bush.
*He became unconscious as a result of the drugs he took and a lack of ventilation.”
She further said the management of MMA2 would play active part in the “ongoing investigation to ascertain exactly what happened and to aid the prevention of any such occurrence in the future
“The safety and comfort of our customers remain our utmost priority and we continue to ensure that the MMA2 terminal remains a safe zone of operation.”
Earlier on Sunday (yesterday), the UNA management said the stowaway was found during pre-flight inspection in the morning.
As of the time of sending the release, the airline said the stowaway was a “middle-aged man.”
“During preflight inspection this morning, a stowaway was found in one of our aircraft parked at MMA2 Ikeja.
“The middle-aged man, who looked unkempt and is suspected to be unconscious, was arrested and taken in for interrogation.
“The aircraft last operated Abuja-Lagos at 7.30pm on September 3, 2022 and was securely parked at the apron following post flight inspection.
“FAAN AVSEC and Bi-Courtney security services are on ground and investigation has opened into this security breach at MMa2.
“The affected aircraft is being screened and prepared for service in accordance with United Nigeria Airlines strict security and operating standards,” spokesman for the carrier, Mr. Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, said in the statement.
