The porous security network at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the nation’s premier airport was exploited last night when a gang of robbers numbering over 10, staged an attack which left two dead and many other injured.
An eyewitness account said that the robbers gained entry into the airport through the terminal zero, proceeded to the arrival hall and penetrated the departure hall of the terminal at around 8pm.
The incident took the various security officials by surprise, as many of them took to their heels upon noticing the robbers brandishing their deadly weapons.
The eyewitness, who works in the airport terminal building, said that the armed robbers ordered all the users of the airport to lie down while those who refused to comply were shot at.
In the process, one Chike, a protocol officer with Addax Oil Company was shot at and reportedly rushed to the hospital after the robbers had left the airport.
However, information gathered indicated that the robbers were not able to penetrate into the central search of the airport.
The attack showed the porosity of the entire airport, even as the reason for the attack and extent of damage were yet to be ascertained as at press time.
It was also gathered that some people lost their lives following the manner in which the robbers shot sporadically while trying to find their ways into the building.
The Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), MrYakubuDati confirmed the incident, but said that the men of the Nigerian Police attached to the airport foiled an attempted robbery attack at the airport.
Dati explained that there was an exchange of fire, which resulted in the death of one of the robbers, stressing that the level of casualty was still being ascertained as at press time.
He, however, said that the robbers might have come to the airport to attack some of the bureau de change operators within the premises.
He added, “The situation has since been brought under control by the swift intervention of joint security force. They were apparently attempting to rob a bureau de change operator near the airport. Normal operations and flight have not been affected by the incident.”