The freshly replaced airfield lighting systems at the domestic runway 18/36L of Murtala Muhammad Airport are purportedly stolen.
In Nigeria’s busiest airports, the removal of the approach lighting systems had caused security concerns.
A source who requested anonymity said those who removed the lighting systems profited from the runway being closed for more than three months.
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According to the report, several FAAN employees colluded with outsiders to steal the airport lighting equipment.
“The criminal took advantage of the closure to commit the crime. I cannot give the actual worth of the theft, but almost all the lighting was removed. The permanent secretary came around to see for himself the huge damage done. A lot of FAAN officials have been suspended,” the source confirmed to the PUNCH.
The PUNCH also gathered that some heads of relevant departments at FAAN have been suspended over the missing lighting equipment on the directives of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole.
The source also disclosed that investigations had since commenced to unravel those responsible for the missing safety equipment.
According to the source, the regular incursion and stealing of safety components at the airports are carried out by a syndicate, consisting of some workers of the agencies, who have access to the restricted areas and accomplices from outside.
A top official with FAAN, who did not want his name in print, said the agency’s Managing Director, Mr Kabir Yusuf, was displeased with the development.
He stated that FAAN MD had also ordered the suspension of security personnel who were in charge of guarding critical airport facilities.
