Ime Akpan
The federal government has taken steps to curb unauthorised access to air sides at airports across the country.
The action followed the arrest of a Nigerien national identified as Usman Adamu who gained access to Azman Air aircraft waiting for clearance from the air traffic controllers at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport last Friday.
The managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Yadudu who disclosed this at a press conference in Kano yesterday said the agency had taken full responsibility for the security breach and that the intruder had been handed over to the police.
He added that the federal government had awarded contracts for perimeter fence at the airport, including detection devices and CCTV cameras with infrared capacity for night operations.
He also said FAAN planned to erect observation towers this year to enable proper monitor and coverage of the airport.
“FAAN has a security patrol/escort team in place for arriving and departing aircraft but another joint patrol team involving FAAN aviation security, the police and the military has also been constituted to assist in protecting the sanctity of our airside and ensuring the security of live operations and the travelling public using our facilities,” he added.
As a dynamic industry, Yadudu admitted that “globally new threats are springing up daily and the criminal elements are fashioning out ways to circumvent security architectures.”
Nevertheless, Yadudu said “it is up to FAAN to continuously improve on security and put adequate measures in place to mitigate the threats.”
“FAAN”, he said “will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and the regulatory agencies towards ensuring safe operations at our airports.”
