FG Beefs Security At Airports

Security agencies,  including
Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Air Force and security agents of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Custom Agents (ANCLA) intensified security checks at Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) axis of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos.
Following a report that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates may bomb airlines travelling to the United States and other destinations through mobile phones or laptops, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday ordered its Aviation Security (AVSEC) to direct passengers to switch on their electronic gadgets before security screening at the airports.
This is to enable security operations to determine genuine mobile phones, laptops and others that could be used as bomb carriers.
The situation led to a heavy traffic gridlock along the airport, Ikeja road causing, motorists and commuters to be on queues for hours. While heavy security checks exist in Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.
Our sources stated that before any person could be allowed into the airport premises at the NAHCO axis, he or she must present an identification card to prove that he or she was an authentic worker at the airport.
Also vehicles were screened before they could enter the airport while at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) security agents were seen using anti bomb detector to screen cars before they were allowed into the company’s premises.
The scenario resulted in those without permission to enter the premises to be stranded at the gate of NAHCO while at the Port Harcourt International Airport screening started at the major gate to the premises.
An agent with SAHCOL, Mr. James Chigozie said the screening was to ensure that touts were prevented from accessing the airport, stressing that such screening was carried out to sanitise the airport environment.
Mr. Chigozie added that before anybody that worked at NAHCO axis of the airport got into the airport premises, an identification card must be presented to the security officials as those without any official duty at the airport were chased away.
“I think the main reason for the check is just to prevent touting at the airport as people who don’t have anything doing at the airport are prevented from going into the premises”, he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at the airport, Mr. Dennis Ifijen, said that he was in a meeting and could not comment while the General Manager Public Affairs, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati could not confirm the situation at the airports as the text message sent to him was replied.