The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) was on Tuesday August 08 thrown into panic as Police diffused unattended bag suspected to be bomb and this resulted into a big bang that sent shock waves into the spines of people around the airport environment.
The process of trying to diffuse the suspected bag by the Police with their sophisticated equipment shattered the rooftop of one of the offices closed to where the bag was and also created a big hole in the wall around hajj and cargo area of the terminal .Â
Nigerianfranknews gathered that the bag, which was neatly tied was suspected to contain bomb, planted at the area where pilgrims process their travelling documents before being taken in a bus to the international airport for departure to Saudi Arabia.Â
According to a source close to the scene of the incident, “the bag had been at the spot since Monday evening when some pilgrims from Lagos State arrived and processed their travels. The attention of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the airport was drawn to the bag who in turn brought sophisticated equipment to diffuse the alleged bomb”.
He explained that the equipment used caused a heavy bang, which shattered the rooftop of one of the offices closed to where the bag was and also created a big hole in the wall.Â
It was gathered that after blasting of the bag, it was discovered that the bag contained booklets left over by the Lagos State Pilgrims and Welfare Board.Â
The booklets it was learnt are distributed to pilgrims from the state, prior to their travelling to Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.Â
It was also gathered that the booklets were unused and ought to have been returned to the board by the officials of the state, but was left behind.Â
The source explained further that: “We all resumed for woke this morning to find a bag, which was unattended to here. At first, we thought it belonged to one of the officials here, but none claimed it’s ownership.Â
“You know, because of the security situation of the country, you can’t leave anything to chances. So, we had to call the security agencies to diffuse the content, which later was discovered that the bag contained booklets by Lagos State officials.
“But, unfortunately  it caused some damage to our building. However, it was good we made the attempt. You never can tell.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has refuted a rumoured bomb scare at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport today, Tuesday 08 August 2017.
A statement by the general manager corporate affairs of FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu (Mrs.) explained that at about 9:30am, an unattended bag was noticed at the Hajj and Cargo terminal, after the departure of the 4th flight for the intending pilgrims. The Chief Security Officer of the Federal Airports Authority, Hajj and Cargo Terminal as well as the Bomb Disposal Unit were contacted and began the process of finding out the owner and the content of the bag.
No one claimed ownership of the bag, so the decision to blow up the bag using an explosive device was made, which in turn caused some panic amongst the second batch of intending pilgrims waiting.
She explained further that after detonation, it was discovered that the bag contained some copies of an Islamic guide; meant for pilgrims to guide them with regards to their journey.
Mrs Yakubu advised passengers are advised to be cautious of their belongings, and ensure that all properties are securely kept.
“The Authority would like to assure the general public that there was no Bomb and the Hajj and Cargo Terminal is safe, secure for flight operations,” she said.
