Nigeria Content Online

The Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Wednesday, embarked on
thorough screening of motorists and air travellers at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The development,
which is a fallout of the October 1, 2010 twin bombings in Abuja, is
aimed at curtailing the influx of people into the nation’s premier
gateway, and to “painstakingly screen” all guests to the international
airport. Akin Olukunle, the General Manager, Public Affairs for the
organisation, said that Aviation Security (AVSEC) operatives have been
ordered and stationed at strategic positions at the airport to enforce
the screening procedures.

“The airport is a
public place where several people engage in different activities and
that is why it is always a target for terrorists,” he said. “The
airport should therefore be properly secured, as this was one of the
prerequisite to the safety of the people that make use of the airport.”
He also added that operatives from the Nigerian Air Force, Police
Anti-Bomb Squad, Immigration, Civil Defence Corps, and the Aviation
Security are all going to be involved in the screening exercise at the
international airport.

All must be screened

Mr Olukunle also noted only the president and his vice are exempted
from the screening processes. “All airport users, whoever is coming to
the airport must have a business to do,” he said. “If you don’t have
anything to do at the airport then you are a tout and such a person
will be arrested by the Aviation Security personnel and handed over to
the police, no matter who you are,” he said. Mr Olukunle, however,
admitted that the road block mounted by the security operatives about
two kilometres away from the international terminal resulted in the
traffic jam at the airport, adding that passengers are therefore
advised to arrive the airport early enough to be able to go through the
screening and catch their flights on time. The authority’s spokesperson
said that commercial vehicles operating into the airport are also
inclusive in the screening exercise and that passengers on the buses
and cabs have to be searched thoroughly before getting to the
international airport.