The federal government is set to investigate the former governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Abdulaziz Yari and the governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Fintiri for reported violation of COVID-19 safety protocols at the Kano and Port international airports respectively.
Yari, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had on July11 claimed that “he is a VIP” and refused “to adhere to the protocols and procedures put in place by the federal government” and “forcefully” assaulted a staff who insisted on disinfecting his (Yari’s) luggage.
Similarly, Fintiri was said to have “flagrantly refused to observe the Airport Security and Public Health protocols…by refusing to have his temperature checked, or being sanitised by the health officials.
“His whole entourage of eight did exactly as he did. The team that came to receive them drove right through the barricades up to the terminal building ignoring traffic and Aviation Security instructions.”
Reacting to the developments yesterday in Abuja, the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika said the ministry had received lots of inquiries concerning alleged unruly behavior by VIP passengers, including Yari and Fintiri.
He said investigations into the alleged unruly behaviour had begun adding that violators will be prosecuted.
The minister stated that under the aviation law, violators can be sentenced to at least two months in jail if found guilty.
He also said the government will apologise to them if they are found not to be guilty of the allegations.
“The ministry and agencies have received a lot of inquiries regarding some alleged unruly passengers. One of the agencies, FAAN in particular tweeted and because of that we have received a lot of questions.
“So, FAAN has escalated what has transpired. These alleged unruly passengers include the former Governor Yari, who I spoke to yesterday at length and Governor Fintiri.
“While that of Yari was on Saturday in Kano, that of Fintiri was in Port Harcourt. Those are being investigated and if it is found that it was true, we would do the needful. If it is found untrue we will definitely apologise to these individuals.”
“We are equipped with cameras in our airports, we can pick everybody, all security agencies in this country have cameras in the airports, we will take it very seriously we will investigate and once we find you guilty we will prosecute you.
“So if you are found to be an unruly passenger because you are a big man, a VIP, the simplest thing we could do is to refer you to the police and they must by law prosecute you, regardless and it will be not less than two months imprisonment.
Citing the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), Sirika said untruly behaviour include fighting inside an aircraft or within the vicinity of an airport as well as disobedience to lawful instructions issued by the pilot, the flight crew or engineer, cabin crew, attendants, check-in staff or any lawful staff on lawful duty at airports.
“So first it is an offence to fight or carry out any disorderly conduct on board an aircraft or in the terminal building,
Unruly passenger behaviour requires the punishment of criminal referral for imprisonment for not less than two months. It can be for 10 years…..
“I am sure you will not want to be a criminal for one day or even for one second.
“Please, VIPs, show that you are a VIP by conducting yourselves in the manner that you would want to be identified with.
“If you are caught, we will investigate and the punishment will be not less than two months of being criminally liable by a court of law. We mean business. We are very serious about this,” he said.
Similarly, the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the government was investigating the reported violations.
Although he did not mention Yari and Fintiri specifically, Mustapha said the probe was with a view to sanctioning violators if it is established that they indeed violated the rules, or apologise to them should the result of the investigations exonerate them.
“You will all recall that the aviation sector reopened domestic operations on July 8, 2020. Dry runs were carried out and guidelines meant to protect all travellers were issued.
“You also recall that we identified and pleaded even before now, with certain classes of persons, particularly VIPs, to desist from flouting such guidelines.
“Unfortunately, we have received reports about violations by some dignitaries who failed to follow the protocols at our airports. We believe leaders must lead by example.
“In truth, as leaders and followers, we must change our behaviour if we must overcome the pandemic. This virus does not discriminate by status, age, tribe, creed or colour. All we require is diligent compliance and vigilance,” he said.
