Worried over security level at airports, Reps invite Aviation Minister

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika to explain how bandits gained entrance into the Kaduna Airport.

The Lawmakers said this became necessary so as to prevent future recurrence in the nation’s airports, after they had unanimously adopted a motion by Rep. Musa Pali (APC-Bauchi) at plenary, on Wednesday, March 17.

Moving the motion earlier, Pali recalled that on March 6, 2021, bandits invaded the staff quarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), at the Kaduna Airport, and kidnapped 11 people.

Pali noted that air transportation was the safest means of transportation as of today, and a high forex earner for the economy, saying that if attacks and other security challenges were allowed in the nation’s airports, Nigeria’s air transportation sector would be exposed to similar security challenges facing land transportation.

“The bandits were reported to have gained access to the airport staff quarters through the runway and made away with their victims, including a Staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

”And also the wife and son of a member of staff of the Nigerian Metrological Agency.

Read also: Gunfight as military foils attempt by bandits to kidnap Kaduna Airport workers

“If the security around Nigeria’s airport is not urgently improved, it could scare International travellers, including investors, and may also bring sanctions from International regulatory bodies,” he said.

The House urged the Inspector–General of Police and other security operatives at the nation’s airports to beef up security at the airports.

The House said such breach must be prevented while calling on security agencies to secure the release of those abducted and fish out the bandits.

In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, mandated the Committees on Aviation, Police, and Interior to ensure Compliance, and should report back in three weeks, for further legislative action.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now