How terrorists attempted to blow Lagos-Atlanta flight

Delta Airlines has confirmed that one of its Atlanta-bound airliners was diverted to Dakar, Senegal on Monday.

While confirming the incident, it said the flight was diverted to Dakar for “precautionary reasons” as against the notion that explosives were found aboard as was earlier speculated.

Delta Airlines Director Corporate Communications, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Olivia Cullis, said, “Delta flight DL55 from Lagos to Atlanta diverted to Dakar, Senegal for precautionary reasons.

“After a short stop, the flight resumed to the United States. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our number one priority.”

There had been speculations that a passenger on the airliner had explosives on him, with the intention of blowing up the plane.

An unexpected electrical fault in the plane did not help matters as it further sparked more suspicion.

A passenger, Editi Effiòng, who was aboard the plane, had tweeted that the Atlanta-bound airliner had been diverted to Dakar, amid suspicion of a suspected bomber onboard.

On his twitter handle, @EditiEffiong  had tweeted, “Dunno what that guy was trying to do, but the electronic systems on the plane shut down! Lights were flickering everywhere… How do you smuggle a bag with dynamite on a plane. Unbelievable stuff.“

Another passenger who his name was not mentioned said that “There was an attempt to blow up this flight originating from Lagos on Sunday 8th June 2014.

”If not for Almighty God that intervened on our behalf, my wife and would have become history and obituary written about us with other passengers and crew of the above flight.We were on board this flight to Toronto via Atlanta on June 10 2014.

”Midway between Lagos and Atlanta over the Atlantic, Pilot switched of all the TV Screens and requested that all electronic devices should be switched off and all passengers to remain firmly seated and belt fastened securely. He later announced that the flight is diverting to Dakar, Senegal because of the security situation in the aircraft and for the safety of all, we are landing at Dakar for security checks.

”As we landed all passengers were asked to remain seated and belts remain fastened. We then noticed a young man in handcuffs being led out by two US Marshalls disguised as crew members from the rear of the aircraft.We were asked to disembarked two rows at a time and leave all overhead stowed away luggage to remain untouched, only those handbags with us in the cabin to be taken along to the arrival hall and the hand bags and ourselves were screened by machine and Senegalese security staff.

”All bags in the aircraft were taken out and screened and unknown to us a second terrorist was arrested when a bomb was discovered in his luggage apparently on transit from a West African Country,that is how they avoided screening in Lagos as both are Malians.We eventually take off to Puerto Rico USA 6hrs 40mins as the fuel and food cannot suffice to Atlanta.I am writing from Atlanta Airport waiting for our flight by air Canada to Toronto at 7.30 pm”

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How terrorists attempted to blow Lagos-Atlanta flight