The Bi-Courtney Aviation Service Limited, operator of terminal 2 Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Monday, explained how a 14 -year-old suspected stowaway, Rasheed Mufutau, gained access in the Lagos airport.
NATIONAL ECONOMY had, on Sunday, reported the arrest of a suspected stowaway found hiding in the wheel of a parked United Nigeria aircraft.
The airline said the stowaway was arrested by the staff of the airline on a routine pre-flight inspection, saying the aircraft last operated Abuja-Lagos at 7.30pm on September 3, 2022 and was securely parked at the apron following post flight inspection.
However, in a press statement by the Head of Media at BASL, Oluwatosin Onalaja, the boy, Rasheed Mufutau, wanted to exit the country and travel abroad.
The statement explained that the stowaway said, he passed through the General Aviation Terminal One, Air Force hanger and walked down to MMA2 where he hid himself at the Apron, adding that, he saw staff on duty at GAT and Air Force hanger but dodged them and passed through the bush.
“At around 6:10a.m on Sunday 4th September 2022, United Nigeria (the Airline) informed Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL) of a 14-year-old stowaway boy found unconscious inside one of their aircraft.
“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 and lives in Badagry but hails from Kwara State.
He is an orphan and said 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 and that 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 and he became unconscious as a result of the drugs he took and a lack of ventilation.”
According to the statement, the boy has been discharged from the hospital and taken to the FAAN crime office at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport along with United Nigeria security guard for further questioning.
“We are an active part of 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,” Onalaja said.
