Despite warnings from Presidency, Ministry of Aviation and aviation union to users of Nigerian airports on flouting of COVID-19 and security protocols at the nation’s airports, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) has again reported yet another security breach and assault on Aviation Security (AVSEC) staff by the head of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), operatives at Abuja airport, Mr. Safiyanu Abba.
FAAN alleged that Abba had stopped the AVSEC personel from searching a visitor who walked through the metal detector resulting in activating the alarm.
The airports manager in a series of tweets revealed that the assault took place at the International Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja where he instructed airport procedures and physically assaulted the AVSEC officer.
The Tweet titled: Breach of security procedure and assault on AVSEC Officer by Head of DSS at the International Terminal of NAIA Abuja read:
“We note with dismay that Mr
Safiyanu Abba, the Head of DSS at NAIA deliberately obstructed airport security process and slapped an aviation security officer who was performing his duty by calling on Mr. Safiyanu Abba to resist from doing so.”
” This happened on the 17th July at about 15:25 hours. He breached security procedure by obstructing further searching of a visitor who had just walked through the metal detector as activated the alarms.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria strongly condemns this abuse of power and the security process in our airports, this has been duly escalated.
Recently, two prominent Nigerians, former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari and governor of Adamawa State. Alhaji Fintiri were alleged of infractions on the rules and guidelines for air passengers and airport users in Kano and Port Harcourt respectively.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had declared that such unruly behaviour may warrant criminal prosecution and invoke a jail term from two months.
Meanwhile the Department of State Services has been denied the allegations that of its personnel assaulting AVSEC official.
DSS, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunaya Phd, said FAAN also accused its personnel of breaching security protocol at the Airport and it has not been established that any FAAN staff was assaulted.
Afunaya claimed that DSS personnel are well mannered and could not have slapped or fought a worker of another agency.
He therefore said since the news of the incident has only been reported in a section of the media, it gives the impression that it is not factual and should be disregarded.
” The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to the official release by FAAN that its staff was assaulted by the DSS Head of Formation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. FAAN also accused him of breaching security protocol at the Airport. So far, it has not been established that any FAAN staff was assaulted. DSS personnel are well mannered and could not have slapped or fought a worker of another agency.
“The news, as reported by sections of the media, has left an impression that is not factual and should therefore be disregarded.
“For the record, no DSS staff fought or engaged in any acts prejudicial to discipline or inimical to public safety at the Airport under reference.
“In line with its statutory duties, the Service recognizes the Airports as one of the country’s most important assets and has remained at the forefront of protecting them and other critical ones. It takes their security seriously and cannot breach it.
“As a strategic partner, the Service holds FAAN and its staff in good esteem. Both agencies have, over time, enjoyed robust working relationship in the areas of training and exchange programmes. For these reasons, the DSS will not join issues with it.
“It is believed that there are other avenues than the social media to resolve any misunderstanding among staff of two agencies that have had long history of unity of purpose in the execution of their mandates.
It should be noted that the Service and the DGSS place premium on effective interagency collaboration needed to achieve positive outcomes for good of the nation and citizens.
“The travelling public is urged to go about their normal businesses as the Service, in conjunction with relevant authorities including FAAN, is committed to their safety.”
