The Manager Sokoto International
Airport, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal, on Tuesday said there was no bomb scare
at the airport, contrary to rumours making the rounds in the state. Abubakar made the clarification
following the discovery of a bag at the terminal building of the
airport, which created panic in the Sokoto metropolis, as people
scampered for safety.
According to him, this was the first
time the airport organised a security mock exercise and was glad the way
and manner security agencies showed concern and support. He said there was no need for the public
to panic, as it was just an exercise to test the preparedness of the
airport security, Air Force, Bomb Disposal Unit and security agencies in
case such thing occurs.
“I want to let the public know that this is just an empty can that we put inside a bag and kept at the terminal building. “It is just a mock exercise and we are
doing this in good faith to test the preparedness of the airport
security and security agencies in the state to respond to this in case
it occurs. “We want to see the reaction of the
security agencies so that during the briefing, we will be able to point
out to them where they have gone wrong, what they did right and where
they need improvement.
“So, with this exercise, we have
identified our lapses even if it is just one and we will take our
shortcomings very serious,” Lawal explained. He added that the issue of safety and
security of the airport had remained a priority and had partnered with
various security agencies to ensure a secure environment.
Also speaking with journalists, the
state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salisu Abdullah, appealed to the
people of the state to remain calm, saying the rumour making rounds that
there was a bomb scare at the airport was false.
“We just confirmed that there is no bomb
scare at the airport but a mere security mock exercise to test the
preparedness of our men to respond in case of any eventuality,”
Abdullahi added.
