Amid worsening living conditions in Nigeria, some are turning to desperate and dangerous alternatives.
One such case emerged at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, Kwara State, where airport security apprehended a suspected stowaway, Segun Martins, as he attempted to hide beneath an aircraft preparing for takeoff.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that Martins gained unauthorised access to the underside of an Overland Airways aircraft moments before it was scheduled to taxi.
NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu said ground personnel spotted Martins trying to conceal himself between the aircraft’s landing gear and immediately subdued him. He was later handed over to the Airport Police Command for further investigation.
According to Achimugu, the suspect told investigators he believed the aircraft was headed to the United States and planned to flee the country by clinging to the plane.
“At approximately 1502 hours, a male, identified as Segun Martins, gained unauthorized access to the foot of an Overland aircraft about to taxi for takeoff and attempted to conceal himself between the aircraft tyres,” Achimugu wrote on X.
“Ground security apprehended the individual and handed him over to the Airport Police. Martins stated that he believed the aircraft was bound for the United States of America and intended to escape by hiding on the aircraft.”
