Security operatives at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), at the weekend arrested a passenger suspected to be stealing from luggage of other passengers stowed at the overhead locker of Air Peace Flight P47139 from Abuja to Lagos.
The incident was confirmed by Air Peace management and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The suspect, who is about 30 years, gave his name as Kunle Oni, which was the name on his boarding pass, but further investigation revealed he had other names with different identity cards.
Eye witness account disclosed that the suspect was seen searching about three bags in the overhead locker, which aroused the curiosity of one of the passengers who raised the alarm and informed a cabin crew.
But it was at the point of disembarkation when the aircraft landed in Lagos that one of the passengers, Dr Abubakar Jimo who is Director of Special Duties, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), notified the pilot that a passenger was suspected to be pilfering passengers’ bags.
Immediately the pilot ordered the exit door be blocked and the passenger checked.
It was then that one of the passengers discovered that the N350,000 he kept in his bag was missing and Dr Jimo also found out that the envelope he kept N150,000 in his bag was also missing.
The suspect was promptly arrested and taken to FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) office.
A video which captured the arrest showed the suspect bringing out the monies he stole from different bags in the flight.
In addition to the N350, 000 in crispy notes, the N150, 000 in the envelope, there were other notes in foreign currencies.
Eye witness account said the suspect confessed that he had been stealing from fights since the beginning of this year; that he would just board flights from Lagos to Abuja, rob bags when the aircraft was airborne and also return with another flight to Lagos, robbing all the way.
FAAN source said AVSEC official would hand over the suspect to the police for prosecution and that he would be taken to where he is living for further investigation.
Over the years there have been reports of in-flight robbery in domestic flight services.
Few years ago, Arik Air at different occasions had to warn passengers to be careful with their luggage because thieves who disguise as passengers rob in the aircraft.
On November 28, 2014, a passenger on board Arik Air flight W3 410 from Abuja to Enugu was caught meddling with the bag of another passenger during flight.
Similar warning was also given by Aero Contractors when passengers who stowed their bags in the overhead locker began to miss money in their luggage on arrival.
