By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
A suspect, Ogeneochuko David, identified as a member of a large syndicate specializing in stealing onboard aircraft has been apprehended in Ibom Air for allegedly taking another passenger’s laptop from his bag in the overhead cabin.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Marketing and Communication of Ibom Air, Aniekan Essienette and made available to New Nigerian in Uyo yesterday, said that the incident occured on Wednesday, during the boarding of Ibom Air flight Q1300 from Lagos to Abuja.
According to Essientette, the owner of the laptop upon noticing that his laptop was stolen from his bag, drew the attention of the crew members who immediately swung into action and discovered the missing laptop in the possession of the suspect, David.
“The owner of the laptop, who suspected the movement of the said Mr. David within the aircraft, decided to check where his laptop was kept and immediately realized the item was no longer there. He raised the alarm by notifying the crew members accordingly.
“A search was immediately instituted, which led to about half an hour delay, and the laptop was found with Mr. David. He was immediately offloaded and handed over to the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) for further investigation, who then handed him over to the Police for further investigation. The police have since confirmed that the suspect is a member of a large syndicate specializing in stealing onboard aircraft”. Essientette stated.
She reiterated that Ibom Air, in
In line with its corporate policy, has zero tolerance for such criminal activity on board its flights and would prosecute any offenders to the full extent of the law.
To be on a safer side, the General Manager advised the passengers to report any suspicious activities they observe during their flights to the crew members immediately, as early intervention can prevent potential thefts and ensure a safer travel experience for everyone on board.
“The report of an increase in stealing onboard aircraft highlights the importance of passengers to be extra vigilant and attentive to their belongings during flights. Following instructions from the crew members and taking necessary precautions can help minimize such incidents.” The General Manager added.
