Human remains were discovered by airport staff during a routine inspection of the runway on Thursday.

An investigation is underway at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport following the discovery of human remains on the runway, according to local media. The incident caused a temporary shutdown, with incoming international flights diverted away from the airport. Authorities have said the body was found during a routine runway inspection near the cargo area.

Speaking to Ripples Nigeria, an anonymous staff member in the public relations department confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation has begun to find the deceased man’s identity, with the initial understanding that he may have been knocked down by an aircraft during take-off.

“The corpse was discovered by FAAN officials on Runway 18R around the cargo area during a routine inspection on Thursday. The incident is being investigated by FAAN. So far, no one knows the identity of the victim but we suspect he could have been knocked down by an airplane taking off in the night. We will be able to determine how it happened at the end of the investigations.”

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority and Murtala Muhammed International Airport have been approached for comment.

Several recent breaches have caught the media’s attention, highlighting a severe lapse of security at the airport.

In 2019, an Azman Air flight to Port Harcourt was delayed when a “hitchhiker” scaled the Boeing 737’s wing while awaiting take-off clearance. The man was subsequently arrested, though initial reports claim it could not be ascertained how he had gained access to the runway. Following the incident, airport officials announced plans to install a perimeter fence and security equipment to prevent future incidents; however, it has been largely unsuccessful.

In October 2021, Nigeria’s federal government intervened, claiming it would address the challenges related to the damaged and incomplete fences around the airport and provide additional training to security personnel.

“We are working with FAAN and other stakeholders to quickly actualise approval by the Federal Executive Council for aviation security personnel to bear arms,” Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu told officials during a security summit of Africa’s Airport Council.

“We are currently addressing the challenges related to damaged, incomplete and non-existent perimeter fences at the airports. This is because the fence serves as the first layer of defence, which will minimise attacks, prevent incursion and enhance general security.”

The following month, an Air Peace flight to Abuja was stopped on the taxiway when suspected burglars opened the cargo hold, leading to a two-hour delay while security operatives and bomb squads carried out a comprehensive search of the aircraft.

In an interview with Punch, retired MMIA Military Commander, Group Captain John Ojikutu described Thursday’s incident as a significant security breach and has called on the airport and NCAA to launch a full investigation. Ojikutu has frequently spoken out against the airport’s ineffective perimeter fence, claiming that the lack of security and close proximity to housing leaves the airport vulnerable.

“The authorities need to investigate how the man got to the airport. Nobody can say much now; but he may have been knocked down by the wingspan or undercarriage of a jumbo jet but it is too early to say anything like that now.” Ojikutu noted.

“But we need to examine the issue of houses that have been built too close to the Lagos airport. The rule says no building should be situated less than six metres to the airport structure or fence. However, we have seen cases of people crossing the runway before.”

What are your thoughts on Thursday’s incident? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Ripples Nigeria, Punch, Peoples Gazette

Journalist - With a degree in journalism, Molly joins the team with an interest in aviation's history, and its impact on politics, society, and culture. Molly has experience as a digital correspondent with Sky News. Based in Surrey, United Kingdom