CS-TFX@LHR,06.07.2009-542al_-_Flickr_-_Aero_Icarus

 

Mati Maravanyika,

Editor (Africa)

 

NIGERIA — Nigerian teenager Daniel Ihekina flew from his hometown of Benin to the “commercial hub of Lagos” in the wheel of an airplane. According to Arik Air, Ihekina hid in the wheel compartment for the entire duration of the flight, which was half an hour long.

The teenager evaded the airport security and was able to hide in the wheel section just because the airplane took off, according to Ola Adebanji, the airline spokesman. After the flight arrived in Lagos, passengers alerted the airport staff after they saw Daniel emerge from the tire section.

Adebanji commented that Daniel Ihekina is lucky to still be alive; however, the fact that he evaded security “is something for the authorities to investigate.” Daniel more than likely survived the flight because it was 30 minutes long and the airplane was travelling at 21,000 feet, which ultimately increased his chances “of surviving the thinner, colder air at high altitudes.”

Daniel Ihekina is currently in police custody and has commented that he left Benin as a result of his family mistreating him.

Image Courtesy: Aero Icarus (Wiki Commons)