Pandemonium ensued for a while at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Tuesday as Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) used an explosive device to blow up an abandoned luggage at the terminal after the last flight took off.
The controlled disposal took place at about 9.30am after the departure of the fourth flight that conveyed pilgrims from the airport’s Hajj Terminal to Saudi Arabia.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the federal agency, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, who confirmed the incident, however, refuted rumours of a bomb scare at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the MMA even though bomb disposal unit failed to near or examine it but blew it up.
In a statement issued yesterday evening, Yakubu said, “At about 9:30 am, 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 FAAN, Hajj and Cargo Terminal, as well as the Bomb Disposal Unit, were contacted and (they) 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.”
According to her, after the detonation, it was discovered that the bag contained some copies of Islamic guide that was meant to guide pilgrims with regards to their journey.
The statement however, advised passengers to be cautious of their belongings and ensure that all properties were securely kept.
The agency further assured the general public that there was no bomb and the Hajj and Cargo Terminal was safe and secure for further flight operations at the facility.
