Recently, there was an incident at the domestic runway 18/36L of Murtala Muhammad Airport where the newly installed airfield lighting systems were allegedly stolen. The theft took place during the closure of the runway, and it is believed that a syndicate, including some workers of the airport agencies and external accomplices, was responsible for the crime.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, directed the suspension of heads of relevant departments at the airport, as well as security personnel responsible for guarding critical airport facilities. The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Kabir Yusuf, expressed his displeasure with the incident.
Investigations have been initiated to identify those responsible for the theft. It has been reported that such incidents of incursion and stealing of safety components have occurred in the past and are considered insider threats. In response to the situation, a former Military Commandant at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (retd.), suggested strict measures to prevent unauthorized access, including deploying soldiers on the runways and authorizing maintenance staff only with proper approval.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, Mr Yakubu Funtua, assured that investigations were underway, and the agency was committed to preventing a recurrence of such incidents. FAAN emphasized that it would be unfair to solely blame its staff for the theft and expressed its determination to recover the stolen equipment and address any security loopholes.
The domestic runway 18L at Lagos Airport had been closed for night operations for 15 years due to the lack of airfield lighting. During this time, domestic airlines had to use the longer runway 19 at the international airport, leading to increased fuel consumption. The installation of the airfield lighting system in November aimed to enable night operations at the domestic airport.
