BIODUN AKOMOLAFE
Following the terrorists’ attacks in Istanbul Airport, Turkey, during the week, passengers, airline operators and other users of Nigerian airports have been assured that adequate security measures have been put in place to forestall any form of security breaches, even as they are counseled on security consciousness.
Assuring airport users of their security in any of the nation’s airport, management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said apart from installation of 3D screening machines, metal detectors and CCTV cameras in and around airports in the country, sniffer dogs and members of the Bomb Detection Unit of the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed at the airports, to complement the effort of our Aviation Security personnel at the security screening points.
FAAN, however, counseled passengers on security consciousness urging them not to accept any luggage from anyone and to report any suspicious movements or behaviour immediately to Aviation Security Personnel in the terminals.
A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Federal Airports Authority, Yakubu Dati said “the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is constrained to advise all airport users, especially passengers and airline operators, to be security conscious at airports, following the spate of recent security breaches, including bomb blasts, at some airports around the world.”
It added “passengers are advised not to accept any luggage from anyone and to report any suspicious movements or behaviour immediately to Aviation Security Personnel in the terminals.”
“The Authority has put adequate security measures in place at all Nigerian airports, to forestall any form of security breach, including the installation of 3D screening machines, metal detectors and CCTV cameras
“Apart from the statutory security and safety measures already in place at the airports, sniffer dogs and members of the Bomb Detection Unit of the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed at the airports, to complement the effort of our Aviation Security personnel at the security screening points,” the statement added.
“Inspite of these heightened security measures, passenger facilitation at all our airports has also been enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors. Airport terminals have also been expanded and modernised to provide better ambience and more space for passenger comfort,” the statement said.
Recently, a stakeholders meeting on how to boost security around the Murtala Muhammed Airport , Lagos was held at the instance of the Airports Command of Nigeria Police.
The meeting which was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Omololu Bishi on behalf of the Commissioner in the Command, Mrs victory Menta gave the stakeholders the opportunities to identified some areas where adequate security attentions were needed in the airport.
Meanwhile, as the Sallah holiday approaches, the Authority also advised air passengers to make early arrangements for their travels and to leave home early on their travel dates, in order to complete their boarding facilities in good time.
