Security operatives at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin on Wednesday arrested a suspected stowaway, Mr. Segun Martins who attempted to hide inside the tyre compartment of an Overland aircraft that prepares for takeoff at the airport.
The incident happened around 15.02 hours after he gained unauthorized access to the airside and crawled toward the foot of the aircraft as it taxied for departure.
It was gathered that, the suspect, Segun Martins, was said to have believed that the aircraft was bound for the United States of America and intended to escape by hiding in the aircraft.
Men of the police station located at the airport swiftly moved to the scene of the incident and arrested the suspect.
Sources said that, the suspect is currently helping the men of the state police command on the incident.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu later confirmed the incident in a post on his verified X handle Wednesday night.
He stated that,l the man tried to conceal himself between the aircraft’s tyres before being intercepted by ground security personnel.
According to him, security operatives on duty swiftly apprehended the individual and immediately handed him over to the Airport Police Command for further investigation.
The statement read, “At approximately 1502 hours, a male, identified as Segun Martins, gained unauthorized access to the foot of an Overland aircraft that was about taxi for takeoff and attempted to conceal himself between the aircraft tyres.
“Ground security apprehended the individual.
“He was immediately handed over to the Airport Police for further investigation”.
Achimugu however said that investigations are still ongoing on the incident.
Hammed Shittu
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