The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced an armed security unit to boost security and address issues related to touting and illicit activities at international airports in Nigeria.
The security outfit, known as the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit, was officially unveiled by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, represented by the Managing Director of FAAN, Bunmi Onabanjo-Kuku at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday.
The inauguration of the AVSEC unit was equally shared by the Minister and FAAN via their official X (formerly Twitter) handles.
Keyamo’s post read in part, “As part of the steps we earlier promised Nigerians to take to curb the menace of touting and other illegal activities around our airports, earlier today (Monday), the Managing Director of FAAN, on my behalf, unveiled the armed Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.”
Keyamo’s post revealed that the AVSEC unit has the mandate to arrest and prosecute touts and other suspected criminals around international airports.
He added that the security outfit will also be replicated in the other four international airports in the country.
The Minister’s post also mentioned that introduction of AVSEC at the airports is in addition to ongoing inter-ministerial efforts to specifically address issues of extortion, bribery, and begging involving government agencies within the airports.
FAAN’s post on X announced that President Bola Tinubu approved the introduction of this new security unit for international airports.
The post highlighted that the unit is authorised to bear arms, which aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and selected staff from the AVSEC Department were subsequently trained.
Keyamo had acknowledged receiving numerous complaints about the menace of touts and criminals, attributing the misconduct to a few unscrupulous individuals.
He emphasised however that staff from the Ministry of Aviation are not involved; instead, that the problem lies with personnel from other federal agencies stationed at the airports.
Keyamo also highlighted his ongoing collaboration with other ministers, government branches, and relevant agencies to address this issue.
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