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FG Increases Surveillance at Airports, Allays Fears of Incursion by Bandits, Others
The federal government has increased surveillance and also deployed more personnel and equipment to the nation’s airports to prevent incursions into the facilities by unauthorised persons and criminals.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who said between May and July this year, the security apparatus and personnel had foiled 187 attempted security breaches at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
This was a confirmation that the security system has improved compared to the previous years.
Yadudu also disclosed that every airport under FAAN’s management has a security committee, which meets every week, pointing out that under emergency conditions, the committee ensure it meets every day until such threat was tackled and resolved.
Furthermore, Yadudu told THISDAY that FAAN has also embarked on sensitisation and effectively involved host communities and deployed personnel for intelligence gathering.
“They work with those at the airports and environs to ensure that any security threat is envisaged and pre-emptively eliminated,” he said.
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The FAAN boss also disclosed that to prevent the incident of kidnapping that happened at the Kaduna International Airport’s staff quarters earlier in the year, the agency was collaborating with the Nigeria Air Force and the Kaduna state government to ensure that there are no security breaches at the airport.
“In order to prevent what happened about two years ago at the Lagos airport, we did a very thorough risk assessment and what we found out prompted us to enhance security, increase the heights of the fence, improve on the sensitisation generally. “What we do, apart from our increased surveillance, training and equipment, is sensitisation because even people working within the airport environment need to be more sensitised. We get reports and our personnel have increased their surveillance.
“A lot of people have been apprehended for attempted security breach at our airports, including Lagos. Between May and July, the security apparatus had foiled 187 attempts and this shows that our airport system is really working.
“We just installed brand new x-ray machines at the Lagos airport recently. We installed about 15 at the Lagos airport alone and more will still be installed. Even, the walk-in machines, we have new machines installed there. We also deployed L3 scanning machines. We have networks working with the host communities. A lot of what we do is very discreet,” he said.
Speaking on how to ensure that there is no security breach at the airports, aviation security experts and former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu, told THISDAY that intelligence gathering was very critical.
“How much information does FAAN and other aviation operators have on those on national security watch lists or no fly lists who could or are threats to civil aviation? FAAN and other operators need these to update their various security programmes.
“Secondly, at MMA in particular with over 23km perimeter fences and where these fences are used as part of public and private buildings or fences, there is need to build a secondary fences as security fences to meet the basic requirements of Document 8973 that demands six meters distances from the perimeter fences to any public and private buildings, infrastructure and roads outside the airport,” Ojikutu said.
He noted that much of the length of the airport perimeter has been so abused since 2008, when the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) did recommend that no matter how much enhancement is given to the perimeter fence, it could not achieve the desired result in aviation security.
“Therefore, a secondary fence was recommended which we have failed in 13 year to implement. Thirdly, we need to review the airport security management programme and procedures. Moreover, how often or when last did we review them to meet the challenges of the current threats?
“Which forces have we prepared for crisis management in the event of serious occurrences of any at the airports and what is the planned time of reaction? Lastly, there are about six government security agencies in the airport; in the event of serious insecurity occurrence in crisis that needs to be controlled, who is in charge of command and control these multiple agencies?” he asked.
Ojikutu also noted that six government security agencies in the airport carry guns and are under different command and control structures, saying presently, FAAN security outfits are being considered too to be carrying guns as, “a chaotic situation is building up at the airports if the responsible authorities are not thinking seriously about a unified control and management.”
Thisday
metro
Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Anambra
Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Anambra
The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has announced the gruesome murder of Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo by unknown assailants.
Rev Fr Okonkwo, who is also a pharmacist, was shot dead in Ihiala on Boxing Day.
The killing of the clergyman came barely two weeks after the abduction of a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala and their whereabouts have remained unknown.
A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, Rev Fr Raphael Ezeonu said Fr. Tobias was killed between 7 pm and 8 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
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The statement described the incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.
Born on August 11, 1984, Fr. Tobias was ordained as a priest on July 11, 2015.
At the time of his death, he was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi called on the faithful to offer prayers and Holy Masses for the eternal rest of Fr. Tobias and to console his bereaved family.
The Diocese said funeral arrangements of Fr Okonkwo will be announced in due course.
Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Anambra
metro
Lagos Imam to Tinubu: You haven’t disappointed us
Lagos Imam to Tinubu: You haven’t disappointed us
The Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Ridhwan Jamiu, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu had not disappointed Nigerians.
The cleric said this during the Juma’at prayer at the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, with President Tinubu in attendance.
“We are proud of you. I remember that we encouraged people to vote for you during the campaigns.
” We thank God that you have not disappointed us.
“We know you are capable. We know you have the sagacity. We know you are competent.
“We believe and pray that you are not going to disappoint us.
” May Allah continue to be with you. Allah has entrusted Nigeria to you and will ask you for this trust,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to be grateful to Allah during times of fortune and be patient during adversity.
He reminded the faithful that unwavering hope and faith were essential to believers, even in challenging circumstances.
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He assured the president of the steadfast prayers and support of Muslim faithful as he governed the nation.
The cleric urged the president to remember accountability and responsibility to the people, saying responsibility was to the people while accountability was to Allah.
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: ” The most beloved of all people to Allah is the righteous and just leader.’
“We have seen righteousness in you and fairness and justice in you. Please keep it up and sustain it.
“You bear one of the names of Prophet Muhammad, Ahmed, someone who does what is praiseworthy.
” This name has been reflected in your past actions and we hope it will reflect in your actions now.”
The Juma’at prayer was the president’s first public outing since attending prayers at the Alausa Central Mosque on Dec. 20.
The president arrived in Nigeria’s commercial capital on Dec. 18 after presenting the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.
In honour of victims of the stampedes in Oyo and Anambra States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, which claimed lives, Tinubu had cancelled his public engagements.
On Dec. 23, the president hosted the maiden Presidential Media Chat at his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive Residence in Ikoyi.
As part of the Christmas and holiday festivities, he also received private visitors daily.
Lagos Imam to Tinubu: You haven’t disappointed us
metro
Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024 (Full list)
Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024 (Full list)
The New African magazine has unveiled a list of 100 individuals who have made significant impacts across politics, business, science, sports, and civil society in 2024.
This year’s edition takes an in-depth look at the lives and achievements of the individuals who are both on the continent and abroad, explained Anver Versi, editor of the London-based magazine.
Her statement reads, “We need this because I cannot recall the world being so polarised, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.
“The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 edition of New African offers an in-depth look at the lives and achievements of the extraordinary individuals shaping the African narrative on the continent and abroad.
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“Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the African spirit.”
See full list and categories below…
Politics and Public Service
- Bassirou Diomaye Faye
- Kemi Badenoch
- Muhammad Ali Pate
- Claver Gatete
- Ali Mohamed
- King Mohamed VI
- Ronald Lamola
- Yemi Osinbajo
- Nardos Bekele-Thomas
- Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
Business
11. Robins Tchale-Watchou
12. Fatima Tambajang
13. Dr. Sidi Ould Tah
14. Samaila Zubairu
15. Thierno-Habib Hann
16. Akinwumi Adesina
17. Tariye Gbadegesin
18. Adebayo Ogunlesi
19. Wale Tinubu
20. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
21. Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah
22. Moulay Hafid Elalamy
23. Olugbenga Agboola
24. Alain Ebobissé
25. Tunde Olanrewaju
26. Nassef Sawiris
27. Aliko Dangote
28. Ismael Belkhayat
29. Hassatou Diop N’Sele
30. Jeremy Awori
31. Manuel Moses
32. Hassanein Hiridjee
33. Rene Awambeng
Civil Society
34. Joseph Moses Oleshangay
35. Mohamed Adow
36. Michael Kakande
37. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
38. William Asiko
39. Eva Omaghomi
40. Nelson Amenya
41. Helmy Abouleish
42. Binaifer Nowrojee
Science & Academia
43. Elhadj As Sy
44. Chinasa T. Okolo
45. Tshilidzi Marwala
46. Prof. Colleen Masimirembwa
47. Prof. Moses Obimbo Madadi
48. Rediet Abebe
49. Rachid Guerraoui
50. Abdoulaye Diabaté
51. Joy Buolamwini
52. Abeba Birhane
Opinion Shapers
53. Miatta Fahnbulleh
54. Olajide Olatunji
55. Carlos Lopes
56. Zain Verjee
57. John-Allan Namu
58. Vera Songwe
59. Nesrine Malik
60. Tayo Aina
61. Thebe Ikalafeng
62. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
63. Hannah Ryder
64. Ayman Mohyeldin
65. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
Creative
66. Zineb Sedira
67. Rita Mawuena Benissan
68. Iansmith Mwenda
69. Idris Elba
70. Ken Wakia
71. Adejoké Bakare
72. Ayra Starr
73. Selma Feriani
74. DJ Edu
75. Eugene Mbugua
76. Chigozie Obioma
77. Kamel Daoud
78. Tesfaye Urgessa
79. Mehdi Qotbi
80. DBN Gogo
81. Yinka Ilori
82. Amina Lola Shoneyin
83. Ekow Eshun
84. Zhong FeiFei
85. Mati Diop
86. Hassan Hajjaj
87. Koyo Kouoh
88. Mo Harawe
89. Victoria Kimani
Sports
90. Patrice Motsepe
91. Letsile Tebogo
92. Imane Khelif
93. Tunde Onakoya
94. Gelson Fernandes
95. Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane
96. Biniam Girmay
97. Ademola Lookman
98. Ruth Chepng’etich
99. Omar Berrada
100. Sifan Hassan
Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024 (Full list)
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