Cameroon Journal Yaounde, May 9 -The government of Cameroon is currently trying to use an extradition convention to bring back into the country, one Mohamed Saleem who narrowly eluded security and travelled to Morocco from Cameroon after he was caught attempting to board a plane with a bomb at the Douala International Airport.
The Minister of Transport, Robert Nkilli, was at the Douala Airport on May 6 alongside the Littoral Governor, Joseph Beti Assomo and other high ranking aviation representatives to evaluate the security situation of the airport. The airport visit was preceded by a crisis meeting which took place at the Air Navigation Security Agency for Africa and Madagascar. At the meeting, the minister was presented with a vivid picture of what transpired at the airport with the uncovered bomb.
It was disclosed that the episode took place on April 29, when Saleem of Sri Lankan origin, was returning to his country through Casablanca, Morocco, by Royal Air Maroc. While his luggage was being scanned through the electronic detector at the airport, two customs officers on duty realised that there was a suspicious device in it.
They immediately called on Saleem to open it. He opened it and pulled out two flash lights. Given that his luggage was being checked a few minutes to take off time, and the expert who could have confirmed whether or not there was any dangerous device in them was reportedly absent from duty, the suspecting customs officers let him aboard the plane, but kept the supposed ‘torches’ for thorough observations- observations which turned out the flash lights contained an explosive device.
Once they found out it was a bomb, Douala Airport authorities immediately called the Casablanca Airport and ordered that Saleem be arrested and held in custody while Douala opens an investigation on the issue. An investigation commission was since set up, headed by Littoral Governor.
Speaking during his visit to the Douala Airport, Transport Minister insisted that the government cannot issue a statement on the issue until the Governor and his team complete their findings.
He however, reassured passengers that security and safety at the airport has recently been reinforced. He disclosed that new security equipment was recently purchased for the airport within the regional project for the reinforcement of security and safety in aviation for Central and West Africa.
The project which was launched in 2006 is co-financed by the World Bank and the government of Cameroon. The World Bank has so far contributed eight billion FCFA to the project while the government of Cameroon has contributed three billion FCFA.
Thanks to the project, security standards have been reinforced at the Yaounde and Douala International airports and more safety equipment made available. Video surveillance equipment were also purchased within the framework of the project.
The minister attributed the discovery of the bomb to the upgrade of security at the airport.
Copyright: The Cameroon Journal
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