The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reassured passengers of their safety at airports and the smooth operation of airlines as nationwide hunger protests continue. However, train services were suspended on Thursday as a precaution against potential damages, particularly on the Abuja-Kaduna route.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, insisted that security at airports remains robust. “Security is okay at the airport. I’m currently speaking from the airport, conducting a path-finding mission with my team. We have just left the local terminal and are heading to international. Everything is proceeding smoothly,” Achimugu stated.
He added, “Security is tight. Agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Aviation Security and NCAA made adequate preparations and plans before today. We assure passengers of their safety as long as the airlines are operating.”
Despite this assurance, two domestic airlines, Overland and Valuejet, announced they would not be operating for the day. “One or two domestic airlines have informed their passengers that they will not be operating today. Overland and Valuejet are not operating. All other flights are on schedule, and everything is under control,” Achimugu explained. The reasons for their non-operation remain unclear but are speculated to be linked to the protests or other factors.
In stark contrast, train services faced significant disruptions. Abdul Azeez, Operations Manager at Idu Train Station, confirmed the halt in train operations due to security concerns. “To the best of my knowledge, we are not operating today. Security officers are on the ground. You only know where you are starting from, not where you will end up,” Azeez remarked, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the situation.
This suspension affects both the Nigerian Railway Corporation and metro services, reflecting the widespread impact of the current unrest. “The train doesn’t start from Abuja alone. It passes through several states. Even the metro is not working,” Azeez noted.
At the same time, passengers flocked to Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos early to avoid possible violence stemming from the protests. Those scheduled to fly later in the day arrived at the terminal early to ensure their safety.
While the airport environment appeared relatively empty with minimal vehicle movement, the terminals at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, and the General Aviation Terminal were crowded with passengers waiting for their flights. Some flights were cancelled or delayed due to weather and the impact of the protests.
For example, Air Peace cancelled its Kano and Ibadan flights, while Valuejet delayed a domestic flight. Air Peace also delayed its Benin flight due to weather conditions. Many passengers arrived at the airports before 6:00 am on Thursday, with some seen dozing off in the terminals.
A couple travelling from Benin, spotted sleeping at Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, explained their early arrival. “We left Edo State around 4:00 am this morning in a chartered vehicle to avoid any potential crisis from today’s protest. Our flight is in the evening, but we preferred to be early than miss our flight due to the protest,” said Obiora Kenneth.
The widespread protests and resultant disruptions highlight the challenges facing Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure amidst ongoing social unrest.
