Audio By Carbonatix
Airport authorities in Ghana are angry at attempts by their Nigerian counterparts to pass the buck on security lapses in the case of a Nigerian accused of trying to blow up an US-bound airliner.
The 23-year old Umar Farouk AbdulMuttalab had boarded a KLM flight from Lagos to Amsterdam from where he was transferred to a Northwest flight 253 to Detroit, US, which he attempted to blow up on Christmas Day.
The device failed and he was subdued by some passengers on board. Abdulmutallab is now facing charges for trying to blow up the plane.
As the search for security lapses continue, Nigerian authorities say Mr Abdulmutallab had boarded a Virgin Nigeria plane from Accra to Nigeria, arriving at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed airport on 24 December.
According to them the suspect spent a longer period in Ghana where the security checks should have been conducted to detect the explosives being carried by the young man.
However, Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company, Yaw Kwakwa, told Joy News the Nigerians' attempts to shift the blame on Ghana was misplaced.
He said the authorities have measures in place to check such attempts, adding that, whenever they have any hint that people would be using Ghana to embark on such a mission “we will increase our chances of catching the person here”.
On the issue of whether the suspect started his journey from Accra, he said: “Nobody is saying that the person was living in Ghana, therefore, he started his entire journey from here.
“The person might have come from somewhere and pass through Ghana. We also know that the flight he boarded from Ghana was not the same flight he went to Europe on.”
Meanwhile, a security expert, Emmanuel Sowatey, has warned that the blame game could undermine the confidence needed to share vital information to avert similar attempts in the future.
Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Fear and confusion in Nigerian village hit in US strike, as locals say no history of ISIS in area
5 minutes -
Health Minister calls for collective action to fast-track Western North’s development
17 minutes -
Mahama Ayariga leads NDC delegation to Bawku ahead of Samanpiid Festival
5 hours -
Edem warns youth against drug abuse at 9th Eledzi Health Walk
8 hours -
Suspension of new DVLA Plate: Abuakwa South MP warns of insurance and public safety risks
8 hours -
Ghana’s Evans Kyere-Mensah nominated to World Agriculture Forum Council
9 hours -
Creative Canvas 2025: King Promise — The systems player
9 hours -
Wherever we go, our polling station executives are yearning for Bawumia – NPP coordinators
10 hours -
Agricultural cooperatives emerging as climate champions in rural Ghana
10 hours -
Fire Service rescues two in truck accident at Asukawkaw
10 hours -
Ashland Foundation donates food items to Krachi Local Prison
10 hours -
Akatsi North DCE warns PWD beneficiaries against selling livelihood support items
10 hours -
Salaga South MP calls for unity and peace at Kulaw 2025 Youth Homecoming
12 hours -
GPL 2025/2026: Gold Stars triumph over Dreams in five-goal thriller
12 hours -
Ibrahim Mahama supports disability groups with Christmas donation
13 hours
