A shocking security breach occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Thursday morning.
An unidentified man was found hiding inside the toilet of an aircraft parked overnight at the airport.
The aircraft belonged to an indigenous airline that had scheduled an early morning flight to Lagos.
The crew discovered the man when they arrived to prepare the plane for takeoff.
The man’s entry into the restricted area remains a mystery.
A source close to the aviation industry alleged that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred at MAKIA.
The source claimed it was the second breach in six months, involving the same individual.
“The suspect appears to be psychiatrically unwell,” the source said.
The discovery caused panic among the crew, prompting them to alert Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the police anti-bomb squad.
The flight to Lagos was delayed by two hours as a thorough security sweep of the aircraft was conducted.
Kano Airport Security Under Fire
The incident has raised serious concerns about security protocols at the airport.
“There are supposed to be three layers of security protecting an aircraft parked at the apron,” another industry insider explained.
These layers include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) AVSEC team and the airline’s private security.
Yet, the man managed to bypass these measures undetected.
One aviation worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the airport’s lax security made it a likely hotspot for breaches.
“I left Kano a week ago, and the security checks were disappointing,” the worker revealed.
“Only one person was manning the scanner, and no one was stationed at the metal detectors.”
The worker also noted a lack of attention to boarding procedures, with no requirement for passengers to match their boarding passes with identification.
“The chaos is unacceptable, especially for an airport with such high traffic,” the worker added.
Implications for International Standards
Experts are warning that repeated security lapses at MAKIA could affect Nigeria’s aviation reputation.
An anonymous aviation consultant said incidents like these are reported to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“With this level of porousness, Nigeria risks scoring poorly in ICAO’s security audits,” the consultant said.
Such reports could also affect the confidence of international airlines operating in the country.
A Troubling History
This is not the first controversy to emerge from MAKIA.
In 2019, Zainab Aliyu, a student of Maitama Sule University, was arrested in Saudi Arabia after tramadol was found in her luggage.
An investigation revealed that the drugs had been planted in her bag at the Kano airport.
Aliyu spent four months in detention before diplomatic efforts secured her release.
Such incidents have tarnished the airport’s reputation and raised questions about its ability to manage security effectively.
