FAAN to penalise security agencies extorting passengers at Lagos airport

Olubunmi Kuku, managing director (MD) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has warned security agencies to desist from extorting passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Speaking to heads of security agencies on Tuesday, Kuku said the penalties for such actions would be stiff.

“Investors are complaining, Lagos Airport, that’s the first thing they see. You get off a plane, this is welcome to Nigeria. The number of messages that I received from passengers, from the Honorable Minister, and from the President is insane, especially from Lagos airport,” she said.

“But I want to focus on aviation security (AVSEC). You represent an agency and an organisation.”

The MD asked the AVSEC officers to engage with the passengers professionally by not requesting money from them, saying she had video evidence of such extortions.

“I have another individual who sent and I forwarded that to you. These were Chinese passengers that were flying through the terminal, and they said somebody gave their necklace as a gift,” she said.

“I’ve also gotten feedback from AVSEC officers and customs saying that they are not collecting pensions so this is the way for them to generate or earn their pension.

“This has to stop, and I have a very clear directive. It goes for the team leads, HODs, and it goes for the heads of the organisations at the airport.”

Kuku said if any organisation is found wanting, it means that the leader has failed, “and it means that I have failed”.

“And this better stop. I also hear that agencies are giving returns to their bosses. So let’s have frank conversations here,” she said.

“The airport is no longer a place to come and make money. So if anybody in your organisation is asking you to give returns — AVSEC, I’m saying the same to you and to all of the other agencies here — better tell them you do not want to come here, because the penalties are going to be stiff.”

In August, FAAN said it had concluded plans to set up magistrate courts in airport premises across the country to persecute violators of rules and anti-touting regulations.