Segun Martins, a Nigerian man detained by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after he attempted to stow away on an Overland Airways flight at the Gen. Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, Kwara State, said he thought the plane was heading to the United States of America.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said in a statement on Wednesday, that the incident happened at about 3:02 pm on Wednesday.
Achimugu said the incident occurred when Martins allegedly breached airside security and made his way to the foot of the aircraft, preparing to taxi for take-off.
He noted that the suspect tried to conceal himself between the aircraft tyres.
The NCAA director stated that he was immediately apprehended by ground security personnel and handed over to the airport police division for investigation.
He noted that Martins told investigators during a preliminary finding that he believed the aircraft was headed for the United States and had hoped to leave the country by hiding in the plane’s undercarriage.
