Ikeja – About 200 international passengers who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Saturday morning were stranded due to restriction of movement because of the rescheduled National Assembly polls.

The Federal Government restricted vehicular movement from 8a.m. to 6p.m. on Saturday to ensure a peaceful election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the passengers were transported into the country from London and Accra by Virgin Atlantic and Arik Air flights respectively, that landed between 4.45a.m and 5a.m.

Some of the passengers residing in the Lagos metropolis were able to leave for their destinations before 8a.m. but those going outside Lagos could not.
Many of the passengers turned their luggage into beds and pillows while others slept on the floor of the airport terminal building.

An elderly passenger, Mrs Elizabeth Adetifa, a resident of Ibadan who arrived from London, told NAN that she would not be able to leave the airport until the expiration of the restriction order.
Also, intending travellers queued at the Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airline counters for checking-in and boarding.

A passenger who simply identified himself as Emeka told NAN that he left his home as early as 5.30a.m.
“I am travelling to Dubai with Qatar Airways; as a businessman, I left my house very early to beat the restriction time,’’ Emeka said.

At the Travelex Worldwide money stand in the airport, NAN observed some passengers being attended to by its staff.

Meanwhile, activities at the domestic wing of the airport were completely paralysed as both the entrance and exit gates of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 were locked.

There were also no activities at the General Aviation Terminal of the airport.