Despite the huge investment dedicated into improving the security infrastructure across the aviation sector in Nigeria, there have been recurring cases of infiltration in these airports, with over a thousand cases already reported this year. Recall, experts in the aviation industry recently criticized the insecurity in the aviation sector, suggesting for a multi-layered security mechanism to protect the airports from infiltration. Reports indicate that the Aviation Security (AVSEC) arrests at least four people for trying to beat the security system on a daily basis.
This is after the recent training and certification of over 121 Aviation Security (AVESEC) personnel which took place at the newly accredited local training facility established by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN). Rabiu Yadudu, FAAN’s Managing Director meanwhile claimed that manual military patrols around airport facilities have been set up to further improve the security situation with the automation in Lagos and Abuja airports. He also noted that motorized equipment had also been invested in, to help curb the security challenges by monitoring and protecting these airports.
Nationwide clamors for the security services to be further strengthened.
In spite of these investments, the security infiltrations continue to prevent the country’s progress in the aviation sector and portraying the country in a bad light to stakeholders who have reported that the suspected airport workers connive with these infiltrators, allowing them through to different terminals. With FAAN operating 26 of Nigeria’s 32 airports, five of which are functioning international airports, there are nationwide pleas for the security services to be further strengthened.
Reports also gathered that even after the continued improvement of security services in the airports, some individuals are still able to bribe their way with security operatives through the terminals at the arrival and departure entrances. The security personnel at Murtala Mohammed Airport for instance, are rumored to receive bribes of about N1000 to grant travelers’ relatives access to the terminals. It is suspected that some of the security operatives in charge of car coordination also indulge in this heinous act, taking money from individuals and advising the operatives at the terminal gates to grant them access.
FAAN describes the airport’s security challenge as a race.
This is likewise the case with moving contraband through the airports. Individuals bribe their way through the security system, moving ban items and all these acts have dented the country’s reputation on the global scene. Yadudu however lamented at the increasing rate of daily attempts at beating the security systems at airports. But reports indicate that mostly the individuals caught are the ones who are oblivious about the act of settling the security operatives and this means that numerous infiltration cases are still being perpetrated in the airports.
Yadudu also noted that while FAAN regularly introduces new measures to salvage this challenge of incursion within airports, new improvisation techniques and technologies are also enacted to beat security and once noticed, the agency works towards mending these loopholes to make sure these cases are not repeated. Describing this security challenge as a race, he stated that despite the daily success at apprehending these infiltrators, it is the little successful ones that hinder the agency’s efforts. He however promised that this would not deter the agency from consistently upgrading its security measures.
FAAN to procure visual and thermal infrared cameras to these airports.
Over time, the authority identified numerous security gaps and have procured solutions to these gaps but because FAAN unlike a private airport that can make quick decisions to curb the challenges it faces, is a governmental agency and some of its solutions take time for implementation due to the necessity of government and due processes. He then disclosed that FAAN was working to procure visual and thermal infrared cameras to cover every area of the airport.
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How does the security personnel of Airport be infiltrated. This is not meant to be. There should be adequate availability of security in airports.
Our lack of security in this country is worse the security personnel of airport is breached/ infiltrate enough and adequate security should have been provide and they have been report the issue since some need to be done to stop all this
The country is something else. We are lacking so much on security issues. I pray and hope that this coming president in 2023 will change it for better
This is a sign of total inadequate and lack of security. Insecurity is now plaguing every sector with no effective remedy in place
Lots still need to be done concerning the security issue in Nigeria and even the airport security is very very important because for any visitor visiting a country the impression from the airport matter most.
All these security glitches FAAN need to do more in order to curtail all these security breach occuring at the airport,staffs needs to be retrained and equipment put in place to up the security.
Over a thousand infiltrations have been reported this year alone, despite the massive expenditure made to improve the security infrastructure across the aviation sector in Nigeria.
Aviation specialists recently questioned the aviation industry’s insecurity, proposing a multi-layered security method to defend airports against infiltration.
Likewise, airports have been provided with motorized equipment for surveillance and protection in an effort to reduce security threats.
Insecurity is now affection every sector with no effective solution in place. Adequate security should be provided, a report should be made on the issue other necessary solutions must follow.
There have been repeated incidences of infiltration in these airports despite the massive expenditure made to improve the security infrastructure across the aviation sector in Nigeria.
Recent statements made by specialists in the aviation business have been critical of the lack of safety in the aviation sector. These experts have proposed the implementation of a multi-layered security mechanism in order to safeguard airports from infiltration.
In addition to the automation that is now in place at Lagos and Abuja airports, manual military patrols have been established around airport facilities. This is being done to further strengthen the current security situation.
In spite of these investments, security infiltrations continue to impede the government’s progress in the aviation industry, which in turn gives stakeholders a negative impression of the country.
Some of the security personnel in charge of car coordination may also partake in this horrible practice by receiving bribes from passengers and urging their counterparts at the airport gates to let them through.
Some people are still able to get through the terminals at the arrival and departure gateways by offering bribes to the security personnel.
FAAN, unlike a commercial airport, is unable to make timely decisions to mitigate the issues it encounters, despite the fact that the authority has discovered and purchased solutions for various security vulnerabilities.
In spite of these investments, the security infiltrations continue to prevent the country’s progress in the aviation sector and portraying the country in a bad light to stakeholders who have reported that the suspected airport workers connive with these infiltrators, allowing them through to different terminals
Despite these investments, security breaches continue to hinder the government’s advancement in the aviation sector, which in turn leaves stakeholders with a poor perception of the nation.
The country is not in good shape. We should be expecting compromise from the security agencies in the airport.
Corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country. With the situation of the country now what do you expect?