BOMB SCARE ON ARIK FLIGHT

Passengers and crew of an Abuja-bound aircraft flight 5N MJE belonging to Arik Air which took off from Maiduguri were thrown into panic yesterday when a passenger  behaving in a strange manner stood up and   screamed Allahu Akbar(God is great) midair. The passenger identified as Aminu Galadima a native of Minna, Niger State, was quickly rushed  and searched by the other passengers to check if he had a bomb strapped to  his body, luckily no explosives or weapons whatsoever were found on him.

The pilot of the aircraft  immediately radio the Air Traffic Control and airport security operatives. The Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on Media, Mr. Joe Obi, confirmed the incident saying the passenger in question went through the necessary security checks at the airport and did not raise any suspicion until he started shouting midair. 

The plane landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at exactly 12.53pm another security check was conducted on the passenger and nothing incriminating was found on him. A further security search was conducted on the operating aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 NG, and no trace of bomb or explosives  was  found. The aircraft went back to service immediately. The suspect was handed over to the SSS at about 14.45pm for interrogation and later released after police ascertained that he is an interior decorator with a history of mental illness. Mr Galadima was released after investigators were satisfied that he had no intentions of blowing up the plane and also had no ties to any terrorist group.

It is becoming increasingly terrifying to fly these days, God help us all.