It would be recalled that security operatives had said they arrested a physically-challenged man with suspected explosives at CENTREX, an annex facility belonging to the National Airport Management Authority, NAMA, on the road leading to the airport’s international wing.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, 19 August, 2014, by FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Yakubu Dati, the agency stated that the alleged bomber was caught at a distance of about one kilometre to the international terminal.
The statement also informed that safety at the airports remain a “top priority.”
“At the time of his arrest, the suspect was said to have been loitering around the said area all morning. This attracted the curiosity of security guards on duty at the entrance of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s CENTREX Facility located along the airport internal link road, who promptly alerted the police,” said Mr. Dati.
He said the suspect, who was alleged to be in possession of a device used in making explosives, was promptly handed over to the Airport Police Command for interrogation.
“While we appreciate the need to promptly report all suspicious characters to security agencies, it is important to always cross-check the facts before going to press, to avoid sending the wrong signals to the public,” Mr. Dati said.
He added that safety and security of the airports remain a priority and that the various security agencies are collaborating with FAAN for a secure and safe environment.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria therefore wishes to reassure passengers and other airport users of adequate security architecture at MMA as well as its avowed commitment to making safety and security top priority at all times,” he said.
It would be recalled that the suspected bomber had reportedly confessed that he was sent along with other Boko Haram members to bomb various parts of Lagos.
The 22-year-old, who was apprehended with canisters secured around his body and neck that police say were explosives he was about to detonate, disclosed that his two other colleagues were assigned the task of bombing Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), as well as the densely populated Lagos Island and Apapa areas of the mega city.
The bomber also allegedly confessed that he was recruited alongside several others from Niger republic and they were trained extensively before their deployment to Lagos.
The Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks across Nigeria since they intensified their insurgency in 2009.
The Islamist group and its leader, Abubakar Shekau were blacklisted by the United Nations, UN, in July.
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