The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said yesterday it has commenced investigations into the alleged robbery incident on a private aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The incident reportedly happened on 12th December, 2017 when the Vista Jet aircraft with Call Sign VJT 584 was robbed while taxing on runway 18R of the airport by unknown bandits.
According to an online report by Sahara Reporters, the jet which was arriving from Istanbul between 2110-2130hrs after landing in Lagos was taxiing to the hangar of Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Ltd when the incident happened.
The Captain of the jet Emma Heering was said to have discovered that the rear door of the aircraft was opened while taxiing to the EAN hangar.
After a check on the burgled section, it was discovered that a big black bag belonging to the air hostess, Francesca Louis was missing from the jet.
It was not clear how the bandits gained access to the air side to burgle a moving aircraft and how they were also able to open the baggage door.
However, the Airport authority said it has launched an inquest to unravel the circumstances leading to the burglary.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu said in a statement that a combined team of its Aviation Security Department, Airport Police Command and other relevant security agencies have swung into action.
The motive, she said was to reveal the perpetrators of this act and to prevent future reoccurrence of such.
Spokesman of Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi however said he is not aware of the incident. He promised to get back to our correspondent on Monday.
But John Ojikutu, retired Commandant of the MMIA lamented that incident of robbery has become a recurring decimal in recent times and tasked the Airport authority to leave up to expectations.
