The Direct Data Capturing computers belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stolen at the cargo section of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Tuesday night have been recovered by security operatives at the Shasha area of Lagos yesterday morning.
A source close to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Aviance (NAHCoAviance, the company that handled the freighter aircraft, which flew in the consignment imported by Zinox Technologies, said insider abuse of security arrangement made it possible for the thieves to have moved six cartons of the DDC machines out of the tarmac undetected.
He, however. said the stolen items, flown aboard Saudi Arabian Cargo had no political undertone as countless cargoes had either been stolen outright or pilfered on the tarmac. The recovery operation, it was learnt, comprised NAHCO Aviance officials, Aviation Security personnel, the SSS and the Nigerian Air Force officials.
He said the perpetrators usually exploited the poor security apparatus in the airport to carry out their nefarious activities. As a result of the incident which has become a national embarrassment, the Presidency summoned Aviation Minister, Mrs Fidelia Njeze and the Managing Director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun to explain how the sensitive and important cargo could be stolen from the airport despite the increased security at the airport, especially the international terminals.
News of the summoning of the duo filtered in at the Radio House yesterday morning where the aviation minister was supposed to hold an international press briefing to unfold her “achievements” and plans for 2011. The venue was filled to capacity with chief executives and directors of aviation parastatals, members of the national assembly, the media and aviation stakeholders in general. As everyone awaited the aviation minister’s arrival, news of the summon and shift in time of press briefing from 11.00am to 2.30pm was announced.
An industry source said a high-level investigation had since commenced with the aim of apprehending the culprits and perhaps ascertain why such a sensitive material of national and international interest did not have adequate security to ensure that it was not tampered with.
“The investigation is a serious one. It is even beyond aviation because the DDC machine is for next year’s elections and the government is trying to see things go as planned and that credible and transparent elections are conducted by INEC. This incident now raises doubts and fears. Our airports are still porous and it’s unfortunate,” he said.
FAAN is yet to officially respond to the matter, while the outcome of the meeting at the Presidency was unclear as at press time.
Daily Sun learnt that the internal wrangling which disrupted cargo activities at the airport might have been responsible for the abandonment of the INEC’s cargo on the tarmac as clearance was delayed giving room for the theft.
Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner, Airport Police Command, Mr Moses Onireti, revealed that the police had invited officials of Agent Services Solution, a clearing agent to Zinox Technologies.
He said FAAN wrote the command on the matter on Wednesday intimating it about the missing items, adding that investigations into the matter were on.
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