A dramatic security breach unfolded on Wednesday at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, after airport security apprehended a suspected stowaway attempting to hide between the tyres of a departing aircraft.
The suspect, identified as Segun Martins, was caught clinging to the landing gear area of an Overland Airways aircraft preparing to taxi for takeoff.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which confirmed the incident, said Martins gained unauthorised airside access in a desperate attempt to flee Nigeria, believing the aircraft was headed to the United States.
NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the details in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying the suspect attempted to conceal himself dangerously close to the aircraft’s tyres.
“At approximately 1502 hours, a male, identified as Segun Martins, gained unauthorized access to the foot of an Overland aircraft that was about to taxi for takeoff and attempted to conceal himself between the aircraft tyres,” Achimugu said.
He added that alert ground security personnel immediately intercepted Martins and handed him over to airport police operatives for interrogation and further investigation.
According to Achimugu, the suspect told security officials he believed the aircraft was travelling to the United States and intended to “escape by hiding on the aircraft.”
Aviation experts say the incident highlights persistent concerns about perimeter security at Nigerian airports and the recurring trend of desperate stowaway attempts—most of which end tragically due to extreme cold, lack of oxygen and the risk of falling from altitude.
Meanwhile, airport authorities have launched a probe to determine how the suspect gained access to the restricted area despite layers of security.
The NCAA assured the public that additional measures are being taken to reinforce surveillance and prevent similar security compromises.
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