LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has reported the arrest of 21 individuals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The individuals, which include touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers, and scavengers, were apprehended as part of the FAAN’s efforts to maintain a clean and lawful airport environment.
In a statement released on Sunday, August 6, 2023, Mr Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, announced that the suspects have since been handed over to the police for further proceedings.
The arrests are part of an ongoing initiative by FAAN’s Joint Monitoring Task Force, JMTF, and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation and Intelligence (AVSEC-CII) Unit.
Recently, these units have conducted a series of raids that resulted in the apprehension of various offenders, including cable thieves and other miscreants.
On August 4, 2023, the JMTF and AVSEC-CII units performed a raid at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, specifically targeting ITZ 1 and 2 landside, the car parks, and the airport access roads.
This operation led to the arrest of the 21 suspects who have now been transferred to the Nigerian Police Force.
Yakubu-Funtua issued a stern warning to those with no legitimate business at the airport, stating that they risk arrest if they engage in illicit activities within the premises.
He emphasized that FAAN will not compromise the safety and security of airport users or the airport environment.
FAAN remains committed to upholding its core values of ensuring airport users’ safety, security, and comfort.
3 Arrested in Connection with Doctor’s Death in Lagos Hospital Elevator Accident
The Lagos State Police Command announced on Saturday, August 5, 2023, the arrest of three individuals in connection with the death of medical doctor Vwaere Diaso, who died last Tuesday at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos-Island, following an accident involving a faulty elevator.
The three suspects are now held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, according to the Command’s Spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, who spoke to journalists on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government revealed that the installer of the faulty elevator responsible for the tragic incident has been handed over to the police for questioning.
A statement released on Friday, August 4, 2023, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olumide Sogunle, stated that an inquiry has begun to investigate the accident.
The investigation panel is expected to submit an initial report of its findings on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
The tragic incident has also prompted action from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Lagos State, which has declared an indefinite strike in three hospitals over the death of their colleague. The strike highlights growing concerns about the safety and working conditions of healthcare workers in the state.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about public facilities’ safety standards and maintenance protocols, especially in hospitals.
The outcomes of the police investigation and the government inquiry will be closely watched, as they may set important precedents for accountability and safety regulations in public spaces.
As the investigation proceeds, the impact on healthcare services due to the NMA’s strike action is likely to be a significant concern for both the state government and residents in Lagos, further underscoring the importance of a transparent and thorough examination of the incident that led to Dr. Diaso’s untimely death.
