'This is phenomenal' - Reactions as thieves steal runway lighting from MMA

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos

Rife reactions have trailed the viral report that thieves stole the lighting system for the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, some months after it was installed.

This was revealed to the BBC by an airport authority spokesman, Yakubu Funtua who said an investigation has now been launched to "arrest the criminals [and] recover what's missing".

There are reports that some air workers were involved in the theft.

The ground lights were installed in November, ending years of after-dusk restrictions on landing on that wing of the airport.

Domestic carriers were forced to divert to the international section and taxi about 4km (2.5 miles) back to the right terminal, which caused flight disruptions.

Mr Funtua told the BBC that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will "block all loopholes to prevent [a] future occurrence".

The news has generated some mixed reactions on the micro-blogging platform, Twitter.

The runway still intact ???? they are lucky
— Gwen Divy Ifeson (@gwenshuga) July 11, 2023

At least they didn’t steal the runway
— Dr King Winter (@I_Am_Winter) July 12, 2023

Irrespective of who leads Nigeria, this would probably happen. So this, is clearly not a function of government, but of people.
— Ebuka Emebinah (@cemebinah) July 11, 2023

An embarrassment of an airport.
— OK then (@Kdenkss) July 11, 2023

.@briticoyemo Can we allow the Nigerian local media to broadcast this kind of news please?

I completely agree you guys are professionals doing your job, but this kind of news is too stinking for international media platforms.

From crude oil pilfering to lamp posts? Huh! ????
— Akin Akangbe (@AkinAkangbe) July 11, 2023