Security officials at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have apprehended two passengers for being in possession of arms at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

According to a statement from FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati, the arrests were made on Wednesday and Thursday.

It was gathered that one of the passenger, who flew into the country from Maryland enroute Atlanta Georgia, USA, arrived MMA about 4.00pm on Wednesday.

“The passenger claimed that the gun was brought in from the USA for his personal protection while in Nigeria. He claimed to have declared the gun to the airline before checking in his luggage at the airport. The pistol did not pose any threat to any passenger at the time of seizure. Aviation security personnel of the authority have continued to work hand in hand with other security agents to ensure the security of lives and property at airports nationwide,” the statement added.

FAAN said another passenger who checked in on an Aero Contractors flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt on Thursday was also apprehended by AVSEC officers at the MM2 terminal, for possessing firearms.

“The pistol was discovered in his checked –in luggage. The passenger said he bought the pistol from the USA for personal protection during his holiday in Aba, where he would spend his holiday”, the statement added.

The statement further stated that though the passenger tendered the receipt for the purchase of the gun, the arm was handed over to security agents for further investigation.

The statement said in another development, FAAN’s security personnel, apprehended two Hungarian citizens, Miss Szabone Balatoni Hajnalka and Miss Porge Szabina.

The two passengers, the statement said did not appear to have any genuine reason for being in the country, and were handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further investigation.