Bomb Scare Grounds Abuja Airport

Vehicular traffic to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was halted for three hours, yesterday, following security alert that the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, planned to carry out a terror attack on the airport.

This is just as the State Security Service, SSS, has declared an ex-soldier, Habibu Bama, wanted over his alleged involvement in the Christmas day bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State that claimed more than 40 lives.

Following the security alert at the Abuja airport, vehicles carrying passengers to the airport were subjected to serious security checks, resulting in many of the cars and passengers being turned back.

Many of the intending passengers were forced to  trek long distance to the airport terminals in order not to miss their flights while several motorists took the nearby villages to return to Abuja town.

The disruption affected domestic and international passengers, especially those on London flights on British Airways and Arik Air flights. It was learnt that the enhanced security checks could lead to delays of many of the domestic flights out of Abuja.

Investigations at the International Terminal showed that only passengers with airline flight tickets and crew members were allowed to enter the terminal building.

A security source at the airport said that intelligence report had indicated that members of the Boko Haram group were planning an attack on the international terminal of the airport.

The usual crowd of workers of the luggage handling firm at the airport was also pushed to the car park away from the building. The airport security also evacuated two adjourning parks to the terminal building.

Surprisingly yesterday, many VIP vehicles carrying top government officials were also not allowed into the airport.

Speaking on the development, Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Obi, said the authorities regretted the inconvenience but had no choice than to carry out the exercise which he said would last till the Federal Government installs automated security gates at the airport.