Nigeria Content Online

Barely two weeks
after the introduction of thorough screening of motorists and air
travellers by security operatives along roads two kilometres away from
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the safety
exercise has been terminated.

The increased
security, which came as a fallout of the October 1 twin bombings in
Abuja, and was aimed at curtailing the influx of people into the
airport, resulted to series of complaints by passengers and airport
users following the high vehicular traffic it caused on the roads
during the period.

“They (security
operatives) have stopped screening us and our passengers for some time
now, and it is surprising because we thought it was going to last,”
said a cab driver at the airport, who simply gave his name as Anthony.
Explaining that the situation caused travellers and commuters untold
hardship following the traffic jam that resulted from the development,
Mr Anthony said that activities along the road has so far return to
normal. “Some of us almost increased our transport fare, because we
burn a lot of fuel on the holdup, but you can see that everything is
now okay and there is no more holdup as we use to experience that
time,” he said.

High security alert

Anosike Bright, a
passenger at the airport, argued that the recent terror scare in Abuja
must have led to the disappearance of the officers. “May be they
(security operatives) have all relocated to Abuja because of last
week’s threat to bomb the capital again by militants,” he said.
However, Akin Olukunle, the spokesperson for the Federal Airports
Authority, said that the security checks have not ceased, but refused
to comment on why the officers are no longer seen on roads leading to
the airport.

NEXT, last week,
reported that security operatives, including the Nigerian Air Force,
Police Anti-Bomb Squad, Immigration, Civil Defence Corps, and Aviation
Security were all stationed on roads at about two kilometres away from
the international terminal, where they enforce screening on both
commercial and private motorists using the airport.

Richard Aiseubeogun, the Managing Director of the airports
authority, had earlier urged the public to assist the agency in its
fight for a safe and secured airport, adding that with respect to the
prolonged traffic, passengers should endeavour to leave for the airport
early. “We want to advise members of the local communities and all
stakeholders to report any strange or unusual activities within the
airport environment to security agencies nationwide,” he said. “We
appeal to all airport road users to cooperate with the officials
involved in the screening exercises, to ensure smooth facilitation, and
undue delays.”