Nobody burgle Air Peace’s aircraft –NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed claims by Air Peace that its aircraft was burgled.
The air carrier had claimed that the rear cargo hold of its Flight 7138 holding for departure on Runway 18R of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos was opened by thieves on February 8.
But the aviation regulatory body in a statement by its spokesperson, Sam Adurogboye, described the airline’s allegation as ‘unfounded’.
The NCAA stated that their investigation proved that the burglary incident never occurred after it reviewed all the reports from the relevant agencies concerning the incident.
Adurogboye stated that in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), aviation security personnel were at the holding point of Runway18R monitoring the departure/ take off of both Air Peace and Arik Air aircraft.
The PIC alarm, he explained, triggered an immediate response, adding that the escort team overtook the Arik aircraft for a more proximate field look and access to the Air Peace aircraft.
“On full speed, with the full lights on, no person(s) was found within the vicinity of the aircraft. Importantly, the Arik aircraft, which was on queue immediately after the Air Peace aircraft, was similarly put on observation at this point.
“The Arik Air aircraft also had its full complement of lights on towards the Air Peace aircraft having been aware of his counterpart’s conversation with the tower.
“With benefit of this full view, neither movement nor any sign of person(s) was sighted around the aircraft.
“At D45, the Airport Chief Security called the NPF-EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) team who reported with their equipment at about 2026hrs. Passengers were disembarked at 2028hrs.
“The EOD team, joined by FAAN (Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria) Aviation Security and Air Peace security, conducted a search on the cargo compartment and the passenger cabin of the aircraft.”
He noted that the search was completed at about 2055hrs and the aircraft was declared safe by the EOD Team leader and the flight departed and landed safely at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Against this background,” the statement said, “the NCAA came to the conclusion that the Runway 18R burglary report is unproven, largely unsubstantiated and, therefore, should be discountenanced.”