Security chiefs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos are brainstorming on how a young Nigerian man was discovered dead yesterday in the wheel-well, the under-carriage compartment of Arik Air aircraft that flew to Johannesburg on Saturday and returned on Monday to Lagos.
The dead body was found when the A330 aircraft landed in Lagos and at the time of filing this story, no one could explain how the deceased gained access to the airside of the airport and into the aircraft wheel-well.
There are speculations that the deceased was helped by some of the security officials to access the aircraft when it was parked yet to board passengers and hid there until it took off to South Africa.
Pilots and aeronautical engineers familiar with the compartment said it is roomy enough to contain a human being, but it is highly unlikely that any one who hid there would come out alive after a flight that took several hours due to lack of oxygen.
Inside source told THISDAY that the body was not discovered in Johannesburg because the airline usually does a quick turnaround back to Lagos the following day.
The source also explained why the deceased inevitably died, saying "As we climb high, the temperature becomes low, getting below freezing level when the aircraft is cruising between 35,000 to 40, 000 feet. The guy probably died due to lack of oxygen."
An operator who spoke to THISDAY expressed shock at the incident and said, "How can this happen after we have gained Category 1 safety status from the United States".
These security officials at the airports will make us lose this rating which is a very big advantage and a boost to aviation development in this country."
THISDAY spoke to senior Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official concerned with security who said that all the top security officials at the airport were holding meetings to find out how the incident happened.
In a telephone interview, the official told THISDAY that it could not be explained how the deceased accessed the airside of the airport,adding that security was yet to identify the dead body but investigation was on to know who the deceased was.On the speculation that the late Nigerian was aided by aviation security officials from FAAN, the source said, "You cannot say that for now. We don't know the people that might be responsible. It is not only aviation security officials that operate at the airport. We have Customs, Immigration, NDLEA and others, so it is too early to point accusing finger on anybody."
Over the years there have been allegations that Aviation Securityofficials help people to stowaway through this and other methods outof the country.It was also alleged that the security officials aide drug traffickersto the airside, using the runway inspection and wild-life vans.The allegation was confirmed in 2006 when cameras picked securityofficials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,helping drug trafficker to access the airside and to the foot of theaircraft designated to him and other passengers out of the country.Those involved were severely punished by the then Federal Government.
Source: Thisday Newspaper
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Posted: at 23-09-2010 07:15 AM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero
mydicksweet at 23-09-2010 03:36 PM (14 years ago) (m)
I think the guy didnt get the correct info about the destination of where the aircraft is going but even at that why is that guy so desperate?is he the only one suffering in this country rubbish
Posted: at 23-09-2010 03:36 PM (14 years ago) | Hero
yusufgiwa at 23-09-2010 10:37 PM (14 years ago) (m)
WHY ALL OF YOU DEY BLAME THE GUY? IF 9JA GOOD YOU GUYS THINK THE GUY CAN NEVER TRY TO DO SUCH THING. ITS REALLY PAINFUL. MY GUY SORRY RIP YOU REALLY TRY BUT 9JA IS NOT BAD TO THAT EXTENT OF TAKING THAT KIND RISK.
Posted: at 23-09-2010 10:37 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
dumosky2010 at 24-09-2010 12:20 AM (14 years ago) (m)
Lies....Thiday newspaper....what date ? when and where did the flight originated from? Mr or Mrs Poster such stories or accredit ur source in the right format.....go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/ for normal citation....thank you
Posted: at 24-09-2010 12:20 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
may his soul rest in peace but we shouldnt be that desperate just to travel abroad. abroad is not heaven, most of this countries are not better than my naija. he would used the money he used in bribing those criminal officials at the airport that smuggled him into his early grave to better his life with hard work,right attitude and prayers. my brothers abroad is not heaven,pls dont risk your life because you want to travel abroad.you can make it any where even in nigeria with hard work,right attitude and prayers using the wisdom that god gives you.
Posted: at 24-09-2010 04:38 AM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac
na sin make somebody die for inside plane ? i know some one wey colapse and die inside the toilet 
;)
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