Controversy trails missing $100,000 aboard Arik flight to Abuja

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Police has commenced full investigations into the allegation of missing $100, 000 stashed alongside another $250, 000 in a hand luggage aboard an Arik Air flight on December 31, 2009 by Salome Garba, a female Regional Manager, in one of the leading third generation commercial banks.


The woman, Saturday Sun learnt, raised an alarm on arrival in Abuja when she claimed $100, 000 was removed out of the $250, 000, which the airline has since described as frighteningly strange.

According to the woman, on arrival in Abuja, she noticed the position of the padlock on her bag had changed and later on saw that $100, 000 has been removed.

According to a source from the airline, the woman had a carry-on baggage, which could not enter the overhead compartment of the aircraft.

“So her bag was taken from her and tagged and then loaded in the belly of the airplane. She took the bag on arrival, which was intact and she left for town. Some hours later, she raised an alarm on the matter and the police have since questioned some of our staff and those of SAHCOL,” the source explained.

Also speaking on the matter, the Commissioner of the Airport MMIA Command, Mr. Danazumi Doma, who confirmed the alarm raised by the woman, said the command is on top of the situation, adding that the outcome of the investigation would determine if there was theft aboard the airplane or not.

However, Garba explained in her statement to the police that she checked in with her luggage and a bag for an Arik flight to Abuja at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) wing of the Lagos Airport, but she was informed that she could not be allowed to board with the said luggage because it could not enter the overhead lockers since the aircraft is small.

But, she explained that she got to Abuja and realized that $100,000 out of the $250,000 had been removed, which prompted her to report the incident to the police.

Her statement to the police reads: “I am Salome Garba, a banker with UBA and 45 years old. I checked in with my luggage to board flight 271 Arik Air from Lagos GAT en route Abuja, international. I had one piece of carry on luggage and a bag. At the foot of the plane I was informed that the luggage could not be allowed as the plane, being a small one, the over head lockers would not carry it because the plane is small.

“I tried to insist but I was advised to simply padlock the luggage and that they would ensure my luggage got to Abuja safely. I said I would wait near the plane till I saw it put on, but I was refused and told to board and on arrival. I waited to collect my luggage, but I was informed I could not collect it on the tarmac. However, I insisted and waited till I sighted the bag on the ramp before proceeding to the arrival hall to wait for the bag.

“When the bag arrived, I noticed that the position of the padlock had been changed, but was still locked by the handle, which had been broken. As soon as I drove off and checked the bag, I found out that $100, 000 two bundles had been removed from the bag.”

The Airport Police commissioner explained that investigations are on going on the development, with a view to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

Doma said: “We are yet to ascertain the veracity of such claims that is why we have launched an inquiry. We are carrying out investigations to know who was involved, how much and how the whole thing happened. All the people, including Arik staff that were arrested or invited for questioning have been released.”