Cripple Caught with Explosives Aiming at Bombing Lagos International Airport

There was anxiety yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as security officials arrested a disabled young man who was said to be carrying improvised explosive devices. The man was seized as he attempted to enter a facility near Centrex unit of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

According to sources, the disabled young man was moving suspiciously along the road leading to the international wing of the airport when private security officials arrested him, according to a source.

The officials handed the suspect over to the Police.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) confirmed the incident.

In statement, NAMA spokesman Supo Atobatele said: “The basic truth, however, is that the said suspect was on the ground making phone calls along the airport road close to CENTREX, an annex office of NAMA when the agency’s security personnel accosted him of his presence.

“His incoherent explanation exposed him to the security personnel who later found on him some devices suspected to be explosives.

He was subsequently handed over to the Airport Police Command for further investigation.”

The managing director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, praised the security personnel for their vigilance and prompt arrest of the suspect.

A source said the suspect was moved to the headquarters of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command at Beesam Junction on Airport Road where he was still under interrogation last night.

A source close to the police said the device found on him are wired cables, which could be converted into explosives.

Officials of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the police were examining the devices last night.

An eyewitness said the device, which has been diffused, was hung on the suspect’s neck, adding that he attracted passersby.

Sequel to the arrest of the suspected would-be bomber, security had been tightened around both the domestic and international terminals of the Lagos Airport.

At the Beesam Junction headquarters of the Police Command, detectives and anti-bomb specialists were interrogating the suspect.

But a source said the Inspector General of Police had been briefed about the development.

A source said the police were investigating the matter to ascertain if the wires found on the suspect were for an explosive.