BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, were temporarily disrupted on Wednesday after an electrical spark triggered smoke inside the Terminal 3 (T3) facility, forcing authorities to shut down the terminal as a precautionary measure.
The incident, which occurred at about 14:05 hours, originated from an operational office within the terminal and led to visible smoke emission, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Airport officials confirmed that personnel of the Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) swiftly intervened to contain the situation, preventing escalation and ensuring the safety of passengers and staff.
“The situation is under control,” officials said, noting that the rapid response helped avert any major damage or injury.
Following the incident, all flights scheduled to operate from Terminal 3 were redirected to Terminal 2 to minimise disruption and maintain continuity of operations. Passengers were advised to take note of the temporary changes and cooperate with airport authorities.
Engineers have since commenced electrical maintenance work within the affected facility to identify the root cause of the fault and restore all systems to optimal condition. Authorities said the terminal would only be reopened after comprehensive safety checks are completed.
Although the disruption was brief, it caused some inconvenience for travellers, with flight schedules adjusted and movements within the airport temporarily rerouted.
Airport management assured the public that safety remains the top priority, adding that necessary steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
The incident highlights the importance of routine infrastructure checks in busy aviation hubs like MMIA, which handles a significant volume of domestic and international traffic daily.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
