Following the reopening of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal One airspace, this was made known by Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku on Monday to journalists, noting that although six people sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident, no life was lost. Kuku also revealed that flights operated by Emirates, British Airways, and Lufthansa were diverted due to the inferno.
Mrs. Kuku said a British Airways flight was diverted to Abuja, a Lufthansa aircraft to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, and an Emirates flight was rerouted while emergency teams worked to contain the fire and ensure the safety of passengers and airport personnel. According to Kuku, “Some of our operations were affected; however, they will be back up and running in the next half an hour.”
While inquiries into the cause are still ongoing, she stated that extinguishing the fire was the top priority for now. As Chief Safety and Security Officer, the airport manager is in charge of the Emergency Operations Center, which has been activated, according to Kuku.
She pointed out that agencies coordinated according to established procedures, with assistance from pertinent state authorities where needed. Kuku stated that there are ongoing restoration projects at the airport, but not in the vicinity where the fire is claimed to have started.
She added that police and aircraft quickly assisted rescue efforts after confirming that the fire had spread to the roof. Kuku said the majority of arrivals and departures have been rearranged, with departures mostly moving to Terminal Two.
She also mentioned that the temporary terminal was "ready for use" and that four airlines were slated to relocate there. Kuku reassured passengers that firefighters would stay on the ground as a precaution against any residual smoke.