The Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria has increased security levels and alertness at airports across
the country in reaction to Tuesday night’s attack at the Atatürk Airport
in Istanbul, Turkey.
It also urged passengers and other users to be security conscious whenever they were at airports in the country.
This is coming as experts in the
aviation sector as well as the International Air Transport Association
declared that there has been a growing challenge for governments to keep
people safe in the landside parts of airports.
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs,
FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, stated on Thursday that the agency was
constrained to advise all airport users, especially passengers and
airline operators, to be security conscious.
FAAN advised passengers not to accept
luggage from anyone and to report any suspicious movement or behaviour
to aviation security personnel in the airport terminals.
Dati said, “The authority has put
adequate security measures in place at all Nigerian airports to
forestall any form of security breach, including the installation of 3D
screening machines, metal detectors and CCTV cameras.
“Apart from the statutory security and
safety measures already in place at the airports, sniffer dogs and
members of the Bomb Detection Unit of the Nigerian Police Force have
also been deployed at the airports to complement the efforts of our
aviation security personnel at the security screening points.”
He also stated that metal walk-through
detectors had been deployed in airports, adding that some terminals had
been expanded to provide more space for activities.
IATA, while reacting to the incident in
Turkey, expressed outrage over the recurring spate of terror attacks at
airports around the world.
IATA is the trade association for the
world’s airlines, representing some 260 carriers or 83 per cent of the
total air traffic, and helps in the formulation of industry policies on
critical aviation issues.
The Director-General/Chief Executive
Officer, IATA, Mr. Tony Tyler, condemned the latest attack and stressed
that the safety and security of passengers at airports was IATA’s top
priority.
Tyler said in a statement issued by the
association on Wednesday, “The tragedy in Istanbul and the one in
Brussels earlier this year showed that there is a growing challenge for
governments to keep people safe in the landside parts of the airports.
“Moving people ‘airside’ more quickly
can help to mitigate risks. The industry has a number of initiatives in
place to achieve that aim and we are working with governments and
airports to implement them.”
Tyler, who sympathised with the families of those affected, declared that the Istanbul incident was a broad attack on humanity.
He added, “Once again, innocent
travellers have been attacked in a cowardly and murderous act. Our
thoughts are with the victims, and their families and friends.
“Air transport brings people together
and facilitates both social and economic development. Istanbul has a
particularly significant and historical role in connecting East and
West. Tuesday night’s attack was a broad attack on our shared humanity.
But terrorism will never succeed in reversing the interconnectedness of
the world.
“The desire of the human spirit to
explore and trade will always triumph over suspicion and fear. That
Istanbul airport is operating today is a testament to the resilience and
determination of the Turkish people and the aviation industry. We stand
together in solidarity, confident that we will emerge stronger and more
united in our resolve to keep connecting our world.”
The Director and Training Coordinator,
Aeroconsult, Capt. Dele Ore, told our correspondent that FAAN had
succeeded in getting international safety certification from world
aviation agencies for the Murtala Mihammed Airport, Lagos, but stressed
that the Istanbul airport had actually met a much higher standard.
He said, “Therefore, we must sensitise
the people, especially those who work at the airports. They should know
that if they see a strange person in their neighbourhood, they must call
the right authorities.
“There may be many wrong calls, but one
right call that will save lives will save the country from huge
embarrassment. We should also not forget that Nigeria is highly
susceptible to acts of terrorism because the country is fighting wars in
different fronts.”
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