The managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, has called on all stakeholders including security agencies in the aviation industry to rise to the challenge of increased incidence of bomb explosions in the country.
Aisuebeogun made the call when he visited the new commissioner of Police, Anti-Bomb Command, Lagos, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, in his office in Ikeja.
Aisuebeogun announced that all necessary measures had been put in place to check the threat to aviation security, adding that FAAN security service, in collaboration with other agencies, had renewed efforts to make airports safer and more secure.
Though he acknowledged the security of the airports as the statutory responsibility of FAAN, he however, insisted “it is the collective responsibility of all security agencies and other airport users, particularly in the face of the evolving security challenges in the country.”
He maintained that all security agencies should play major roles to foster aviation safety and security, which he said “is crucial to the overall economic development of Nigeria.”
He enjoined all airport users, including passengers to be vigilant and report any strange movement at the airports to the security agencies.
He also urged the leadership of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Command of the Nigeria Police to ensure its participation in the airport security committee, adding that it should operate within the aviation security system.
In his response, Aisabor applauded the synergy between the police and FAAN and assured that his command would consolidate on the gains made so far by the two bodies in ensuring security and safety at the airports and their environs.
He emphasised that security was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians and other nationals.
“We are all stakeholders in the security system.
With the spate of bomb explosions in some parts of the country, it is good for all stakeholders to sit up so that we can minimise the embarrassment.
Nigerians should learn to be security conscious, the police would continue to do their best in discharging their functions.
We will continually beef up security at the airports and unattended baggage at the airports will be destroyed,” he said.
He also enjoined all stakeholders in the aviation industry to always assist the police with the necessary information that might lead to the arrest of criminals and assured that such information would be treated confidentially.
Aisabor also requested FAAN to facilitate easy access of the police to all areas at the airports to enhance their operations.
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