Don't Miss


Home   >   Business   >   Industries   >   Travel & Hospitality   >   SSS blame Arik Aircraft’s Incident on Mentally Unstable Man

SSS blame Arik Aircraft’s Incident on Mentally Unstable Man

By on October 24, 2012

Arik aircraft in flight

The Department of State Security Services (DSS) said yesterday’s incident on an Arik Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja was caused by a mentally unsteady man whose “condition was triggered off” by turbulence.

 

Marilyn Ogar, DSS’ Deputy Director for Public Relations explained that the man named Aminu S. Galadima, an Abuja interior decorator boarded the flight, but the Airport Management was not informed as had beforehand been arranged.

 

She reported that the said Mr. Gladima had gone to Maiduguri on October 19 with Hajia Yachilla Jidda, wife of the Secretary to the Borno State government, for work.

 

“On arrival in Maiduguri, he was lodged at Greenland Hotel. During the course of his stay, he exhibited unusual behaviour by smashing a window, and ended up with lacerations on his hands,” the statement said.

 

It was discovered later that Mr. Galadima had psychological issues, and actions were made for him to be sent back to Abuja for treatment.

 

“Unfortunately, when Galadima was taken to the Airport on 23rd October for his return trip, the management of the Airport was not informed, and 10 minutes into the flight, due to slight turbulence, his condition was triggered off,” Ogar said.

 

The bomb threat on Air Air’s flight from Maiduguri to Abuja yesterday was a hoax as explained by the Ministry of Aviation and management Arik Air. Joe Obi, Special Assistant to the minister of aviation on media said it was a practical joke.

 

Arik Air’ spokesperson, Mr. Banji Ola said, “There was no bomb on Arik Air”

 

Obi said, “A passenger, Aminu Galadima, an indigene of Minna, Niger State boarded a Maiduguri – Abuja bound Arik Air aircraft with registration number 5N MJE after going through all mandatory security screening. Nothing incriminating, no explosives, or weapons whatsoever were found on him.”

 

“However, mid air the passenger began to act strangely, loudly screaming ‘’God is Great”. Fellow passengers, alarmed by this behaviour rushed to apprehend him. A thorough search by passengers and crewmembers revealed nothing dangerous on him. The pilot immediately radioed Air Traffic Control and airport security operatives.”

 

The plane landed unharmed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at precisely 1253 hrs and the suspect handed over to the SSS at about 1445 hrs where he is presently being questioned.

 

He further said, “We wish to reassure the flying public of the continued focus of the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the safety and security of the nation’s airspace, while cautioning fellow Nigerians on the spreading of dangerous rumours. These rumours do not help to make our airspace either safer or more secure.”

 

In fact, a passenger on board flight W3 812 from Maiduguri to Abuja caused a panic when he began to shout Allah Akbar just before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The terrified passengers on board the flight became apprehensive thinking the man was about to do something baleful.

 

Every single passenger had gone through the normal security check at the Maiduguri International Airport and nothing incriminating was found on anyone, including the said man.

 

Ola added, “There is no iota of truth in the rumour making the rounds that a passenger attempted to bomb an Arik Air aircraft operating a flight from Maiduguri to Abuja today, Tuesday, October 23, 2012.”

 

“To set the records straight, a passenger on board flight W3 812 from Maiduguri to Abuja caused a scare when he started shouting Allah Akbar shortly before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The frightened passengers on board the flight became suspicious thinking the man was about to do something sinister.”

 

“All the passengers on board the flight, including the man in question, had all gone through the normal security check at the Maiduguri International Airport and nothing incriminating was found on anyone. However, when the aircraft landed in Abuja, another security check was conducted on the passenger and nothing incriminating was found on him. A further security search was conducted on the operating aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 NG (Next Generation), and no trace of bomb or explosives were found. The aircraft went back to service immediately.”

 

He said Arik Air wishes to promise guests that all its flights undertake severe security checks and passengers have nothing to worry about. The airline’s Aviation Security Department is one the classiest in the industry and its obligation to security and wellbeing of passengers is the best in Africa.