The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended indefinitely, the Aviation Security unit heads.

This is to allow investigations into the incident of an airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Friday.

Recall that passengers aboard a Port Harcourt-bound Azman Air flight were thrown into panic when a man climbed the aircraft while it was about to take off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

The man was sighted trying to climb into an Azman aircraft waiting for clearance from Air Traffic Controllers according to a viral video shot by one of the passengers in Lagos.

The man illegally gained access to the airside with a hand luggage.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the suspension of the personnel was pending the completion of ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement but replacements of the affected officers have been detailed in the interim.

“Following the unfortunate airside incursion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today, July 19, 2019, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended indefinitely the Aviation Security unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred, pending completion of the ongoing investigation into the regrettable security infringement.

“The affected officers are the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku, International Terminal Security Officer, Oni Adedamola Abiodun, Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Owotor Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Badejo Adebowale Ayodele.

“In the interim, a General Manager of the Authority, Dr. Anne Enyinnaya-Egbadon, has been detailed to take charge of security at the airport. Other affected officers have also been replaced.”

The statement added that the arrangement will help to ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.

“The current arrangement is aimed at ensuring an efficient and thorough investigation towards the recovery and sustenance of the airport’s proactive security integrity.

“FAAN views this breach as a serious security concern and has commenced an investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of this incident to forestall future occurrence,” it read.