Murtala Muhammed International Airport flights resume after fire incident

By our reporter

The Airport Police Command, Lagos, on Tuesday confirmed that the fire outbreak at the Old Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has been extinguished, and flight operations have been fully restored as normalcy returns to the busy centre.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, in a statement, described the development as a successful containment of the fire incident which occurred on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The incident had disrupted flight operations, stranded passengers, and led to the diversion of some international flights after it affected control tower activities. Thick smoke was seen billowing from parts of the terminal as firefighters battled the blaze for several hours.

Providing an update, the command said the situation was stabilised later the same day.

The statement reads in part, “The Airport Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos, is pleased to update the public on the successful containment of the fire outbreak at the Old Terminal 1 building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).”

Adeola said the fire, which started in a section of the old terminal building, “was fully brought under control and extinguished through the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies.

 “By late hours on the same day, the situation had been stabilised.”

According to the command, twelve workers trapped in the affected areas, including sections near the control tower, were rescued.

“Twelve workers who were trapped in the affected areas, including sections near the control tower, were safely evacuated. All evacuees received prompt medical attention, and no casualties or fatalities were recorded,” the statement said.

The police confirmed that flight operations have resumed.

“Flight operations, which were temporarily disrupted, have fully resumed. All activities have now been relocated to the New Terminal, while the Old Terminal 1 building remains closed to all operations and access pending further assessment and clearance,” Adeola stated.