Federal government owned airports have increased their security measures following the invasion and adoption of some airport staff at Kaduna International Airport last month. It has also reissue a new prohibition order stopping driver from picking arriving passengers at the front of arriving terminal. Confirming the increased security measures being taken by the security chiefs at the various airport, the Director of Public Communication, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. James Odaudu told Vanguard that the increase in security measures is a precautionary measures.
According to Odaudu, ” I am aware that the airports security chiefs have heighten security at the various airports following Kaduna Airport staff quarters invasion and adoption of airport staff. It is a normal precautionary security measures being taken by the airports authorities. Yes, there is need for increased security at the various airports,” he said. There is a report that the federal airports security chiefs have received a memo signed by S.M. Mamman, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Deputy General Manager , Administration and Logistics , directing them to increase security as Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Abuja and Lagos airports could be likely targets of attacks by bandits.
The memo, according to the report, reads : “I am directed to convey an alert from the Ministry of Aviation regarding security threats by criminal elements against Airports in Nigeria and to request for the immediate enumeration of necessary countermeasures for the protection of Airports/Facilities under your purview. Specifically, the Airports top on the list for which criminals are considering carrying out attacks include those in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, and Lagos amongst others. However, all airports are hereby alerted and requested to operate at a heightened threat level.”
The report further said the airport chiefs have been directed to “submit a list of existing and additional countermeasures to address the threats, along with their cost implications where applicable”. Also, an emergency meeting of airport security committees will be conveyed “to review the status of airport security, jointly recommend appropriate measures and share responsibility for effective implementation”.
Meanwhile, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , FAAN, has reissued a new prohibition order stopping driver from picking arriving passengers at the front of arriving terminal. According to the General Manager, Corporate Affair, FAAN, Mrs Herrietta Yakubu the order is in keeping with the laid down protocols on Covid-19 to ensure safety of all airport users. Mrs Yakubu said : ” The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN hereby advises passengers, drivers and other airport users, particularly those at the General Aviation Terminal, Lagos, to always comply with all laid down protocols on Covid-19 to ensure safety of all airport users.
“The Authority will like to emphasise that in line with Government protocols, arriving passengers are to walk down to designated car parks to board their vehicles. No driver is permitted to pick up arriving passenger(s) at the frontage of the terminals.” All drivers must park and wait inside the car parks, while arriving passengers walk down to the car parks to board their vehicles. For departing passengers, drivers are only allowed to drop off passengers in front of the terminals. They are not permitted to wait for any reason after dropping their passengers, it is only a “Drop Off” zone.” We will like to advise all our esteemed customers to strictly adhere to these rules, to ease facilitation and enhance safety of all airport users,” she added.
