Minister Bans VIPs From Using Local Airports For International Flights Over Alleged Trafficking

The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the stoppage of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) from landing international flights at non-international airports over alleged smuggling of arms, humans and cash into the country.

To this end, the minister directed that no international flight operations should be conducted through non-international airports.

The minister reportedly said the directive became necessary because some VIPs fly to non-international airports, thereby escaping the scrutiny of Immigration and Customs services.

“Many VIPs have devised a way of asking for last-minute permissions to land at local airports, even claiming they have made arrangements for a Customs or Immigration officer to clear them on arrival,” a source familiar with the development said.

It was gathered that the suspicion is that many of them might be smuggling cash, goods and arms — and possible human beings — into Nigeria away from the prying eyes of security agencies at the officially designated international airports.

“This has been going on for a while and nobody has called them to order. The minister has decided to act decisively,” the source added.

A circular to that effect, dated July 17, 2024, has been issued by the directorate of air traffic services of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The deputy general manager, NAMA, S.E. Inegbedion, who signed the circular, informed all stations of the ministerial directive that starting immediately, no international flight operations should be conducted through non-international airports.

The minister also directed that all international flight operations at general aviation terminals (GAT) and other private terminals at the international airports “must complete clearances/checks at international terminals, except those exempted by the National Security Adviser (NSA).”

Inegbedion said compliance with the directive was “compulsory” and any violation will attract “appropriate sanctions”.