Man climbs onto plane wing before takeoff at Nigeria airport

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian aviation authorities say an intruder who climbed onto the wing of a commercial plane that was preparing to fly from the country’s busiest airport has been detained.

A viral video of Friday’s incident at the international airport in Lagos also showed panicked passengers who appeared eager to flee the plane.

In the video taken from inside the plane, the man can be seen moving along the wing as passengers look out and shout. 

Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria spokeswoman Henrietta Yakubu said the Azman Air plane had been waiting for clearance from air traffic controllers. She said it taxied back for a “thorough check” before departing for Port Harcourt.

It was not clear how the man reached the plane or what his intention was.

It was the latest Nigerian airport security breach. In 2017, passengers on a private jet in Lagos said thieves forced open the cargo door and stole luggage.

Azman Air is a privately owned Nigerian airline founded in 2010 that flies within and outside the African nation. 

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Guys this is an emmergency o. For 30 minutes we have been stuck at the runway at MMIA by an unidentified man who ran to the aircraft with a bag. Security has not showed up and everyone is panicking. I have so many questions to ask but right now I can't even breathe. Pls share this to all relevant authorities. Dear Nigeria!!!!! Update: He has finally been apprehended and we've all disembarked from the flight. FAAN authorities showed up 23minutes into the scene but were scared to approach him. Security eventually shows up after 37mins. ______ How it happened!! So our flight was taxing on the runway and about taking off when this man shows up running towards the moving aircraft from the bush. The pilot and a few passengers spotted him running towards the aircraft and the pilot immediately slowed down and quickly put off the engine. The guy approaches the plane with gloves and starts walking around and under the aircraft holding a bag which he dropped inside the engine. Thanks to the Pilot of the Azman Airline for quickly observing and taking swift action.. I still have a million and one questions to ask cos anything could have gone wrong! Nigeria will work perfectly someday. This I know. ??????

A post shared by Amb. Otto Orondaam (@otto_orondaam) on Jul 19, 2019 at 2:24am PDT

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