- Nigerian stowaway caught hiding near aircraft tyres at Ilorin Airport.
- Suspect believed the Overland flight was heading to the United States.
- Airport security intercepted him before takeoff.
- Incident raises concerns over airport security lapses in Nigeria.
Security operatives at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin have arrested a suspected stowaway, Segun Martins, after he attempted to hide between the tyres of an Overland aircraft preparing for departure.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, revealing that Martins gained unauthorised access to the restricted area in a desperate bid to escape the country. According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, the suspect was spotted near the aircraft wheel area just as the plane was preparing to taxi.
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In a statement shared on X, Achimugu wrote: “At approximately 1502 hours, a male, identified as Segun Martins, gained unauthorized access to the foot of an Overland aircraft that was about to taxi for takeoff and attempted to conceal himself between the aircraft tyres. Ground security apprehended the individual and handed him over to airport police for further investigation.”
During questioning, Martins reportedly confessed that he thought the aircraft was US-bound and believed hiding near the tyres would help him escape the country unnoticed.
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Stowaway attempts are not new in Nigeria. Desperation, limited opportunities, and the search for a better life often push individuals to take such life-threatening risks. However, many of these attempts end tragically. Stowaways often face sub-zero temperatures, oxygen deprivation, or fatal falls shortly after takeoff, dangers unknown to many who attempt the perilous journey.
The incident has once again raised concerns about airport perimeter security, an issue that has repeatedly surfaced at major airports including Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Aviation authorities say investigations are underway, with calls growing louder for tighter surveillance and improved security measures around aircraft movement areas.
