Blue Tail Bomb Scare!!!!

[LongJohnThomas]

I have just recieved info that a person/s was/were nabbed in lagos with material/s with the resemblance of a bomb/bomb-making equipment or so.
Unconfirmed report though, for now at least; anyone with more info?:ok:
Avsec, for once, your area of expertise, fill us in mate.

[surely not]

Nabbed where LJT? At the airport? On the aircraft?

[Flying Touareg]

LJT, I think it has to do with this story:
But for providence, the beleaguered aviation industry would have witnessed yet another sad commentary after the fatal ADC crash, when a man, attempted to smuggle explosives into an Abuja-bound Bellview aircraft.
Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who briefed newsmen in Lagos on the incident, also disclosed yesterday that the man whose name was given as Michael Dickson was arrested by security operatives on Saturday morning, when he brought some explosives to the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and attempted to have them on board the aircraft.
According to the minister, the suspect whose mission was to mix the explosives packaged in cylinders with luggages belonging to Bellview crew and disappear, was spotted by eagle-eyed officials of the airline and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel who subsequently apprehended him.
Fani-Kayode stated that upon his arrest, the suspect said the items in the cylinders were microphones and was asked to open them but refused.
The minister stated that the 'cylinders' were forcefully opened by the security operatives who discovered that they contained explosives.
He stated that on interrogation, the suspect confessed he was detailed by somebody (whose name was not given), to plant the explosives and disappear, adding that the alleged sponsor of the suspect who was to travel by road to Abuja the same day was already on the run.
He wondered why the suspect would lie on the actual content of the cylinders if no criminal act was intended, adding that he has been handed over to the State Security Service operatives, assuring that the sponsor would be apprehended to face the music.
While applauding the commitment of the Bellview staff and FAAN security operatives who checkmated the attempt to smuggle the explosives on board the aircraft, the minister promised not to spare anything to ensure the safety and security of air travellers and airport users.
Noting that the uncovering of the "evil plot" was a testimony that God is in control and that the system in the aviation industry is witnessing positive transformation, he stated that Saturday was a day of victory for the entire country.
He urged security operatives and agencies to beef up security at the airports while directing that there should be 100 per cent inspection of all luggage, including hand luggage before they are allowed on board.
The minister also directed that nobody should be exempted from total screening at the airports and added that those carrying explosives and dangerous articles at the airports would be regarded as enemies of the state and be treated as such.
Fani-Kayode who said he was uncomfortable with recent accident reports, including the one involving the last year Bellview crash in Lisa, Ogun state, said he was going to seek the approval of President Olusegun Obasanjo to ask the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to embark on fresh investigations into the crash that claimed 117 lives.
He stated that he had invited the Director of Accident Investigations and Preve-ntion Bureau (AIPB), Engr.. Angus Ozoka to appear before him today to give an insight into some of the reports, which he said, were suspect.
According to him, the AIPB is on the verge of undergoing comprehensive re-organisation to meet the yearnings of the country.
Speaking at the briefing, the managing Director of FAAN, Alhaji Muhammadu Yusufu said he would fully comply with all the directives issued by the minister to ensure safety and security of the airports and thanked God for averting the plot by the suspected explosives peddler.
He stated that a consignment of newly acquired airport screening machines has already berthed at the Apapa port, adding that the cooperation of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) would be sought to have them cleared and installed immediately.
Also commenting on the Saturday attempt to smuggle explosives into a Bellview flight, the Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren said it was an unlawful interference to civil aviation, which is a criminal offence as enunciated in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex.
He stated that NCAA has already directed that 100 per cent inspection be carried on every luggage that goes into any aircraft.
He however urged air travellers to expect some delays at airports because of the new security measures.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in charge of airports, Mr. Julian Okpaleke assured that security has been beefed up at the airport, adding that all security agencies are working in concert to check security breach at the airports across the country.


www.thisdayonline.com (http://www.thisdayonline.com)

[18left]

hmmm i smell a rat or even bigger an antelope,theres something fishy going on,and with kay already trying to rope his crash to a bomb blast,i ask to whom does this bomb story favour?
i dont know of anywhere in the world where bombs are discovered and the airport will not be shut down immediately and a thorough search of the premises,instead a photograph session with the suspected bomber and bombs?have we forgotten ikeja cantonment so soon,no bomb disposal squad?just faan security with snap shots

hmm lets see wher the media leads this story to and then we will see the beneficiary,and may be the 19 billion naira aviation find might be released asap for spending.....................................as a result of CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

[V1_RHOT8]

A so called bomb; bomb scare; explosives and blah blah. I can tell that this is just a propaganda/publicity stunt. I find it quite interesting that it's when we have a new head honcho in the aviation ministry, our security becomes "eagle-eyed." Better yet, when we have (or just had) an ICAO review, we foiled a bombing attempt. Reading the story was like reading one of those great fictional spy novels.

Check out these quotes:

"Fani-Kayode stated that upon his arrest, the suspect said the items in the cylinders were microphones and was asked to open them but refused.
The minister stated that the 'cylinders' were forcefully opened by the security operatives who discovered that they contained explosives."

"Fani-Kayode who said he was uncomfortable with recent accident reports, including the one involving the last year Bellview crash in Lisa, Ogun state, said he was going to seek the approval of President Olusegun Obasanjo to ask the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to embark on fresh investigations into the crash that claimed 117 lives."

Hmmmmm I wonder what is wrong with this picture? Could it be the fact that the "cylinders" were forcefully opened? Last time I checked, explosives are handled with extreme care and caution. On the other hand, I remember when there was a rumor that a bomb might have brought down last year's Bellview accident. All of a sudden some guy was caught trying to plant a bomb; our new minister says he isn't "comfortable" with accident reports and etc. Is it me or can someone else smell conspiracy??

But hey what do I know, all I do is fly airplanes.

V1_RHOT8

[Rani]

The whole story stinks. Mind you it might be true and even then, and going by press reports, was handled unprofessionally. Bomb/explosives squads take care of such items (are there any in FAAN?).
F-F Kayode has got a few more months to go as aviation minister and this is all chest-beating for him.

[CathayBrat]

Noting that the uncovering of the "evil plot" was a testimony that God is in control and that the system in the aviation industry is witnessing positive transformation, he stated that Saturday was a day of victory for the entire country.

Evil plot!!! Sounds like he's been watching Dubya to much. Not to sure about the God bit though, but always wondered who the Chief pilot was in the end!! Is this all just press for the minister b4 he leaves office for greater things?:confused: And why bring in the NTSB? I know they r good, but does nigeria not have anyone that can do it? National pride etc. Though we had a crash here a couple of mths ago (non fatal) and it took the caa 3 weeks to even start investigating:ugh: !! Should have called the yanks!!:hmm:

[Flying Touareg]

A bag of “explosives” intercepted in Lagos as it was being taken aboard an Abuja bound aircraft actually contains fireworks devices, a competent police source told Daily Trust yesterday.
Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, announced Sunday that Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) staff and security operatives foiled a terrorist plot to blow up a Bellview plane heading to Abuja.
Michael Dickson, named as the suspect, was said to be carrying over five kilog-rams of the “explosives” hidden in a microphone.
However, a reliable police source told Daily Trust yesterday the “explosives” were fireworks devices the type use at ceremonies.
All-the-same, the source said: “it is forbidden to carry such devices on planes, though they can not explode easily like bombs. They are also not as damaging as bombs”.
The State Security Ser-vice (SSS), confirmed to Daily Trust the suspect is in their custody. The spokesman of the SSS, Ado Mu’azu, told Daily Trust that; “it was too early to comment. Invest-igations have commenced, but there are no details for now”.
There was low turn out of passengers at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed airport Lagos, yesterday following the arrest of a man who tried to smuggle explosive mate-rials into an Abuja bound aircraft on Saturday morning.
A visit to the domestic wing of the airport showed that few passengers were aro-und while security opera-tives were seen monitoring passengers and their lugg-ages.
Security was however tight around the terminal buil-ding of the airport as no air-line accept unaccompanied luggage from anybody.
The security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), were doing extra check of bagga-ges belonging to passengers while all passengers were also thoroughly screened.
The Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, directed on Sunday that FAAN secu-rity should stop discretion given to some VIPs by not screening them before boarding their flights, adding that nobody should board a plane without being scree-ned.
The minister subjected himself for screening before boarding a plane to Abuja yesterday.
Meanwhile, a stakeholder in the aviation sector told Daily Trust yesterday that the Saturday incident was not new, alleging that FAAN offi-cials have been intercepting concealed dry cell batteries and generators alongside fuel inside jerry cans while some passengers were checking in their luggages.
The source who pleaded anonymity however appe-aled to relevant aviation auth-orities to enlighten the public more on what is allowed on board aircrafts.
Some passengers who spoke with Daily Trust vowed to continue to travel by air, saying their security is in God’s hand.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Dickson Joseph, is still helping the State Security Service (SSS) in an attempt to locate the person he clai-med gave the suspected exp-losives to him.
Personal Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Bayo Oladeji, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the SSS is investigating the case, adding that the minister has not been briefed on develo-pments by the SSS.

http://www.dailytrust.com/news2.htm

[Rani]

November 21st, 2006
‘Substance on Bellview plane is fire cracker’
The substances alleged by Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode to have been explosives were actually materials for fireworks, top security source has revealed.
Horatius Egua, Wale Haastrup & Isaac Aregbesola
A senior security operative who spoke with BusinessDay yesterday said the materials meant for the 10th anniversary of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation in Abuja.
The event, the source said, was organized by an event management firm, African Event.
The source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, "Security operatives found out that those materials were mere fireworks materials. When it was discovered, it became an embarrassment to all of us. It is quite unfortunate."
The source added that the government was finding a way of dousing the "tension the whole thing has generated" because "everybody is already scared. The Americans, the British and some countries in the European Union have already warned their citizens to beware of travelling by air in Nigeria".
He noted further that government had reached out to most of the diplomatic missions, embassies and relevant agencies in the country to brief them on the true situation of things regarding the ugly incident.
"I hope they believe us because it is a very embarrassing development. A thorough investigation should have been done before rushing to the press with such very sensitive things. Everybody is afraid to fly now," the source said.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the suspect was still with men of the Sate Security Services as at yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in all the airports in the country.
At both the local and international wings of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, passengers as well as their luggage were screened by staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Travellers interviewed by BusinessDay said they were in support of the security alert at the airport and that they would want the airports authority to extend same security awareness to other airports in the country.
They agreed that the increased security awareness was "for their own good" and urged the Federal Government to mount screening machines and metal detectors in other major airports.
Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode has promised to expedite action on the replacement of obsolete equipment at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as recommended by the Paul Dike Presidential Committee on Aviation.
He warned that ministry and security officials who collude with any criminal would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The minister made this disclosure during an inspection tour of the airport, security screening machines, control tower, the baggage/luggage room and NIMET offices at the airport.
He was quoted as saying that availability of fund remained crucial to facilitate the replacement of obsolete equipment at the airport to ensure security and safety in our country’s airspace.
The minister, therefore, charged the security officials at the airport to brace up to the challenge of providing efficient and effective security for the safety of lives of air travellers.
http://www.businessdayonline.com

[AVSEC]

Well well well.Puts Ian Flemming in the shade,doesnt it?

[surely not]

Amazing...................... Avsec you are never short of opinion about parts of the industry that you are not directly involved in, and don't know much about, but when you get the chance to talk about your specialist area the best you can come up with is

Well well well.Puts Ian Flemming in the shade,doesnt it?

Your credibilty is shrinking below zero matey.

[LongJohnThomas]

I see you lot are still at it!!!! SN??????????:=

[AVSEC]

Surely not,I am entitled to post a comment.I did not challenge any comment you made.Why focus on me?
Well go ahead,anything that makes your day is okay by me.