Ilorin, Nigeria– Chaos erupted at General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin on Wednesday afternoon when a man identified as Segun Martins was caught attempting to stow away on an Overland Airways flight by hiding between the aircraft’s tyres.
The incident occurred just after 3:00 p.m. as the plane was preparing to taxi for takeoff. Airport security footage and eyewitness accounts show Martins breaching the restricted airside area, sprinting toward the aircraft, and trying to wedge himself into the landing gear compartment — one of the most dangerous places a person can hide on a plane.
Alert ground staff and aviation security personnel spotted him immediately and rushed to intercept him before the aircraft began moving. He was quickly overpowered, arrested, and handed over to the Airport Police Command.
During questioning, Segun Martins reportedly confessed that he believed the flight was heading to the United States and that hiding in the wheel well was his plan to “japa” (escape) the country. He appeared unaware that the wheel well becomes deadly at cruising altitude due to extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and the risk of being crushed when the landing gear retracts.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident in a statement, praising the swift response of security operatives that prevented a potential tragedy.
The dramatic moment was captured on video by airport officials and has since gone massively viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where Nigerians reacted with a mix of shock, dark humour, and concern.
Popular reactions included:
- “Werey wan japa inside tyre 😭”
- “He thought say na Uber to America”
- “This one no even check the destination, just enter plane”
- “Japa don turn survival horror movie”
Many users also expressed sympathy, pointing to the growing desperation among some Nigerian youths amid economic hardship as a possible motivation behind such extreme actions.
Authorities have launched an investigation into how Martins was able to breach the highly restricted airside in the first place. Airport security protocols are under review to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, Segun Martins remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly risks associated with illegal stowaway attempts — a phenomenon that, though rare, continues to resurface in Nigeria whenever economic pressures intensify.