Travellers and other users of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road are at risk of robbery attack.
This is due to the poor state of the road and lack of street light along the road. The Divisional Police Officer, Airport Police station, Ayuba Pam, said "There are some black spots leading to the airport and I want airport users to be aware of them. The absence of highway lighting along the Airport Road has made the area susceptible to armed robbery attacks,"
Speaking at the Police Community Relations Committee meeting, held at the domestic wing of the airport Mr. Pam said that the police is already putting in place, strategies that would curb the incidents, even as he described as unfortunate a situation where armed bandits carry weapons that are more sophisticated than police weapons.
He said: "On several occasions, many users of the airport had been attacked by men of the underworld. This is quite unfortunate as the police have intensified security around this place. It is also important to mention that the robbers are carrying more sophisticated weapons than the police," he said.
"In spite of this, we will continue to ensure the safety of people wherever they may be. This is our duty and we will not stop safeguarding lives," he added.
Mr. Pam disclosed that seven suspects were arrested and handed over to the force last month by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and that they are now being prosecuted in court.
He also admitted that commercial motorcycle operators had been conniving with armed robbers in their operation.But he said that it would be difficult to get rid of them, as some of them are security officers operating at the Airport.
He regretted that despite the illegality of the commercial motorcyclists, some airline executives encouraged them to operate within the airport vicinity, on the grounds that some passengers prefer using their services because of the traffic congestion usually encountered along the airport road.
"The fact is that it is illegal for motorcycle riders to operate within the airport, but it seems our hands are tied because most of the riders are security personnel at the airport. Also, some airline operators are supporting the encroachment of the riders into the airport," he said
Mr. Pam cited an instance where he met with an airline operator concerning the issue of safety at the airport and how it relates to motorcycle riders.
"You won't believe it that he was actually in support of the riders. He claimed that without the riders, most of his passengers would be late for flight," he said.
But he warned that it is dangerous to patronise commercial motorcyclists around the airport "especially when it is dark."