There was a security breach at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano on Thursday as a strange man was found inside an aircraft parked at the apron.

The Indigenous airline (name withheld) had parked the aircraft at Kano airport on Wednesday night for an early morning flight to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos after the last day’s sector, only for the crew to find a man inside the aircraft’s toilet when they resumed for duty.

As at the time of filing this report, it was still not clear how the “strange man” found his way into the aircraft, but sources close to the industry, alleged that Kano airport was notorious for such security breaches.

The source also alleged that this incident was the second time in six months that such an incident would happen at airport, involving the same person.

There are no fewer than three different security layers detailed to guard an airplane when parked at the apron, including FAAN’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the airline security.

It was gathered that when the crew discovered the man inside the airplane, they immediately alerted the AVSEC and the police anti-bomb squad to arrest the suspect and frisk the aircraft.

However, the incident led to the delay of the Lagos bound flight by two hours.

The source said: “Yesterday (Thursday), the airline that I work for encountered an unpleasant surprise. We do have daily night stops in Kano. Yesterday’s early morning flight to Lagos, the crew arrived the airport to meet a strange fellow inside the airplane sitting in the toilet. How he got into the airport and into the airplane despite the FAAN security and two company security agents detailed to guard the airplane is still a mystery.

“FAAN AVSEC and the Police anti-bomb squad were called in. The flight later took off two hours behind schedule after the police anti-bomb squad had done a thorough sweep and clearance. I am told this is the second time this is happening in Mallam Aminu Kano airport in the last six months. Ironically, it is the same person on both occasions. We hear that the police have said suspect is psychiatrically unwell.”

Another source, warned that if there would be any security breach in the sector, Kano airport may likely be the spot because of its porousness.

The source said: “I left kano a week ago… if there’s going to be a security issue, this is the likely spot. Entering the hall, there was one person working the scanner and no one at the metal detectors.

“AVSEC was passive, they checked your boarding pass, but didn’t ask for matching identity card and others. Also, boarding was chaotic. FAAN needs to take a look at this airport.

“Where the aircraft was parked is a security control area (restricted area). You can only be allowed access to some of these areas at the airport with your on-duty-cards, which even restrict you to particular areas within the airport.”

Another industry source who didn’t want his name in print, also warned that with such security breaches, it would be difficult for Nigeria to score high marks in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) security audit.

According to the source, such incidents are regularly filed and reported to the highest authorities in civil aviation, especially when they happen to international airlines.

Recalled that drug was planted inside the check-in luggage of a female passenger at the same Kano airport in 2019.

The lady, Zainab Aliyu was in Saudi Arabia’s detention for over four months before she was released after an investigation and diplomatic engagement by the Federal Government.

Zainab was a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano and was arrested after a banned drug, Tramadol, was found in her bag. She claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.

When contacted, Mrs. Obiagheli Orah, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, said she was unaware of the security threat, but promised to contact our correspondent after verification.

As at the time of filing this report, she was yet to do so. (Sunday Independent: Text, Excluding Headline)