EXCLUSIVE: Two Months After Theft Of Runway Lighting Systems At Lagos Airport Was Discovered, Facility Relies On One Patrol Vehicle That’s In Poor Shape

Nearly two months after the embarrassing theft of runway lighting systems at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos was discovered, the airport is still dependent on a single patrol vehicle, which is also in poor condition.

Despite being the only operational patrol vehicle at the airport, it is not in good shape. The theft of the airfield lighting systems, installed in November 2022 to enable night flights, was discovered on May 20, 2023, leading to the closure of the runway for over three months during rehabilitation work.

Sources have attributed the theft to a syndicate of workers at the airport, possibly with external accomplices, and internal sabotage is suspected due to the theft going undetected.

The surrounding forest provides cover for the thieves, and this incident is not the first security breach at the Lagos airport, indicating a systemic issue with security. The airport is reported to be significantly understaffed, despite the employment of close to 1,500 staff during the tenure of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Currently, eight vehicles intended for airport operations are non-functional and parked at the workshop. The stolen lighting systems can be used at other airports. Furthermore, the sole functioning patrol vehicle has oil shortage issues, necessitating frequent oil refills, but airport managers or individuals who pay for repairs are not reimbursed by FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria).

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