TheCable

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the man who prevented an Azman Air flight from taking off on Friday hails from Niger.

Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN general manager, public affairs, confirmed his identity to TheCable on Saturday.

The suspect was named as Usman Adamu, who claimed to live in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos state.

Niger is a landlocked country that shares its south border with Nigeria.

Passengers onboard the Port Harcourt-bound flight panicked after the man prevented the plane from leaving the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

Hamisu Yadudu, FAAN managing director, told journalists on Saturday that the authority takes responsibility for the incident.

Yadudu said the federal government, through the ministry of transport and honourable minister of state, aviation has already assisted in the award of contracts for perimeter fences at the airports, including detection devices and CCTV cameras with infrared capacity for night operations.

He added that plans are also underway to erect observation towers this year, so as to enable proper monitor and coverage of the airport.

FAAN had earlier announced the suspension of four aviation security unit heads who were said to be on duty when the incident occurred.

“The affected officers are the Airport Chief of Security, Mamman Mohammed Sadiku and International Terminal Security Officer, Oni Abiodun,” it said.

“Others are the Head of Department Domestic Terminal 2, Kenneth Okezie and Head of Department Domestic Terminal 1, Adebowale Ayodele.”