*The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria restates the car park facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos, is safe for travellers and vehicles as additional security measures are in place to forestall re-occurrence of such security lapses

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of recent ugly tales of security breaches at the premier aviation facility amid the festive season in the West African country, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it has improved security arrangement at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos.

ConsumerConnect gathered that the social media platforms, recently were awash with ugly tales of security breaches at the airport, particularly in the car park area managed by a concessionaire, Messrs Seymour Nigeria Limited.

Several vehicle owners had complained that their vehicle side mirrors were removed despite a claim by the facility operator that closed-circuit television cameras covered the place, according to report.

Anthony, one of the victims of robbery at the MMIA who narrated his ordeal, said: “We went to pick up family members arriving for the Xmas holiday Tuesday, December 21, 2021. About 2.30 p.m., we pulled into the multi-storey parking.

“We noted that this is the official FAAN-designated parking garage run by a concessionaire.”

According to him, “about 4 00 p.m., the driver went to pay for the parking fees to exit the facility to pick the arriving guests.

“When the driver got back to the car, both side mirrors had been stolen. They had ripped both mirrors of the Lexus 460 SUV.”

However, the victim noted that he lodged a complaint at the FAAN Security Unit in Tango City, where the officials called the garage supervisor at the airport.

“To my utter shock, the supervisor said they left signage at the park, suggesting that cars are parked at owners’ risk.

“Hence the facility manager could not be held liable,” said Anthony.

Still, Moses Ologun, another victim, related that one of his relatives was a victim November 2021, The ICIR report stated.

Ologun also stated: “We parked our car to pick a friend coming from abroad, and on returning, we could not find our laptops and tablets.

“We did not bother to report to anybody because it will be a wasted effort. It is a sorry tale for an airport as important as this.”

Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, in his reaction to the incidents in a statement insisted that the car park being managed by Messrs Seymour Nigeria Limited is safe for travellers and vehicles.

The FAAN General Manager, Corporate Affairs, said:  “With respect to a story making the rounds on social media and other traditional media on the above subject, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wish to state that the car park facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, being managed by Messrs Seymour Nigeria Limited is safe for travellers and vehicles.”

Yakubu noted that additional security measures have been put in place to forestall the re-occurrence of such incidents round the airport.

He further said: “The unfortunate incident, which has been thoroughly reviewed and addressed, is an isolated case in the history of the management of the facility.

“While we have reached out to the victim of the incident, we would like to assure our esteemed customers that the airport, as well as its parking facility, is safe and secure.”

It is recalled that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport authorities earlier December 2021, had threatened security agencies, including Heads of military and paramilitary organisations at the MMIA over reports of extortion.

The FAAN disclosed at that time that no fewer than six staff members of various security agencies were caught on camera extorting air travellers.