We’ve Raised Our Concerns With NSA Over Harassment of Nigerians At Airport

News/Opinion

We’ve Raised Our Concerns With NSA Over Harassment of Nigerians At Airport – Keyamo

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says his ministry has raised concerns with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, over the harassment some Nigerians face at the hands of some security agents stationed at various airports in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo said that he gets loads of reports about the misbehaviors of some of the security operatives at the airports.

The Minister said even though these actions are not by officials of the aviation ministry, he has approached the NSA to address them because he is concerned about the harassment of passengers.

“We have complained to the national security adviser on this because we are concerned about the harassment of Nigerians,” Keyamo stated.

He explained that the NSA has initiated measures to address the problem, including the acquisition of 1,000 body cameras for use by security agencies operating at airports. These cameras are expected to enhance transparency and accountability among personnel.

“We have complained to the national security adviser on this because we are concerned about the harassment of Nigerians. Take note, it is not aviation, it is not Keyamo, I see people tagging me all the time, ‘Somebody just asked for a bribe from me,’ but it is somebody from another agency.

“They tag me all the time, it is not me, it is not aviation. We have to complain to the Office of the National Security Adviser who is doing a lot on this.

“I have mentioned before that the training is almost over now. We bought 1,000 body cameras that all the agencies will wear. We just want to go through the training first. There is a command centre for this where everybody will see exactly the moving cameras on everybody’s chest,” Keyamo said on the programme.

The minister further clarified that while security agencies play a critical role in ensuring safety, their operations must be conducted with professionalism and minimal disruption to passengers. He disagreed with calls.

He made reference to arrests of drug traffickers at the airports by the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as one of the reasons why these agencies should be at the airport.

“These agencies should be at the airports but they should have their cubicles inside. It is when you suspect somebody that you pull him out and take him to a restricted zone and check the person.

“Not that every stop you see NDLEA checking your bag, DSS checking your bag and all that. That is what we don’t want, that is what Nigerians don’t want and that is what we must do to please Nigerians,” he said.

He called for a structured approach, suggesting that security checks should only be conducted in designated areas after suspicion has been established.

“These agencies should be at the airports but operate in a way that respects the rights of Nigerians,” Keyamo added.