by Rachel Ogbu

Earlier we reported the State Security Services, SSS, took into custody a man, Aminu Galadima who scared passengers on an Arik Air flight to Abuja yesterday when he started acting weird, standing and shouting “God is great!”

Passengers landed safely and the SSS, Ministry of Aviation and Arik in different statements Tuesday, dismissed rumours that the plane was about to be bombed and assured the public of safety.

Today, the SSS released another statement through its deputy director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar.

Galadima was allowed on the flight due to negligence by his guardians who failed to tell airport authorities as agreed, before he boarded the plane.

Ogar said:

“On Friday, October 19, 2012, the wife of the secretary to the the Borno State Government, Hajia Yachilla Jidda, travelled to Maiduguri in company of one Aminu S. Galadima, an interior decorator based in Abuja, to do some interior decoration work.

“On arrival in Maiduguri, he was lodged at Greenland Hotel. During the course of his stay, he exhibited unusual behaviour by smashing a window, and ended up with lacerations on his hands.

“The SSG was contacted, and in collaboration with the hotel management, the subject was taken to Atal Hospital, also in Maiduguri, where he received treatment.

“His family in Abuja was contacted and they gave confirmation that Galadima has been mentally unstable. In addition, his elder brother who lives in the UK was contacted and he requested that the subject be returned to Abuja for medical attention.

“On Sunday, October 21, 2012, he was taken to the airport to be returned to Abuja, but he missed the flight. However, the airport management was informed of his state of health, and they advised that whenever his return is scheduled, the management should be notified.

“Unfortunately, when Galadima was taken to the airport on October 23 (yesterday) for his return trip, the management of the airport was not informed, and 10 minutes into the flight, due to slight turbulence, his condition was triggered off. Meanwhile, Galadima is in the custody of security forces.”

The airline, in its statement, explained that the passenger was not caught with any bomb or dangerous object.

Okay, then!