BREAKING: Fire guts Lagos International Airport

The International wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos was Wednesday, gutted by fire, leaving both passengers and staff terrified.

According to reports, the inferno started in some parts of the number one gateway airport while staff were going about their daily routine with passengers on standby.

It was also gathered that the source of smoke was suspected to have originated from the basement of the Terminal building at about 0750 hours on Wednesday morning.

Sources also said that the inferno was suspected to have broken out due to a malfunctioning cable on the Tarmac adding that a section of FAAN’s administrative office was destroyed by fire last night.

While investigations are ongoing to unravel the actual cause of the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN says the swift response and professional efforts of it’s officials have successfully brought the situation under control.

According to FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, “Promptly responding to the situation, the dedicated firefighters from the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport initiated immediate action. Their swift response and professional efforts have successfully brought the situation under control.

“In accordance with our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of passengers, staff, and all airport users, the Terminal building was promptly evacuated due to the smoke that had permeated some areas of the facility.

“We are pleased to report that the situation is presently under control.

The director further said that “FAAN remains committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort.”

Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service Department were also reportedly on site to supplement that of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as all passengers and employees were requested to leave the facility.

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport had in March 2021, reportedly gutted by fire around the departure hall of the Kenyan Airways.

According to sources, “Part of the Lagos airport was earlier gutted by fire. The Kenyan airways office at departure, that was where the fire happened.

“The airport staff around quenched the fire alongside some fire fighters from FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria).”

In another story, Protesting truck drivers, yesterday, barricaded the Oshodi/Apapa expressway, Lagos over alleged killing of one of their colleagues by a policeman attached to the Lagos State Task Force.

According to reports, the task force team arrived at Mile Two end of the expressway yesterday to impound trucks that usually block the axis, depriving other motorists access.

The team was said to have sighted a truck stationed in the middle of the road.

Meanwhile, attempts by the policemen to tow the truck were reportedly resisted by the driver identified as Toheeb Girisi, who kept insisting that he was pouring water into the radiator of the truck.

Eye witnesses said while he was struggling with one of the policemen, another allegedly shot him from behind.

The action sparked up protest as the protesting truck drivers burnt used tyres on both sides of the road, depriving motorists from driving inward and outward the expressway.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the deceased’s colleagues, identified as Ayuba, said: “Toyeeb was 25 years old. He just loaded from Tin-Can and was on his way to deliver the product.

“He rented an apartment and had some of the property he bought in the truck. His mother left here not quite long. He wasn’t married and had no child to carry on his legacy.”

Another eye witness, who gave his name simply as Austine, said: “We were all waiting for our turn to move and load our trucks when we heard the gunshot. It was fired exactly at 2.45 am of Tuesday, September 5,2023.”

It, however, took a reinforcement of policemen from different divisions and the military men to calm the situation.

Confirming the incident, the commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa who visited the scene with some senior officers assured that the matter would be investigated.

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