FG bars securitive operatives from restricted areas at airports

Starting from May 1st, 2014Beginnin, unauthorised security personnel, both in uniform and mufti, will no longer have access to restricted areas within the nation’s international airports. The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Airport Security, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Prof. Sylvester Monye, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media briefing. Monye, who disclosed that the new directive was fromBeginning from Thursday, unauthorised security personnel, both in uniform and mufti, will no longer have access to restricted areas within the nation’s international airport. The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Airport Security, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Prof. Sylvester Monye, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media briefing. Monye, who disclosed that the new directive was from the presidency, insisted that it would be followed to the letter by the authorities. Monye noted that over the years, security officers, aides of dignitaries, protocol officers of private companies, as well as unauthorised uniformed and un-uniformed military men and others had been abusing the restriction order and continually having unhindered access to the nation’s airports. He stated that the idea was to stop the impunity of government officials, military officers and personnel who are not supposed to be at airports from using their position to operate in such facilities. Monye said that, henceforth, no protocol officer or aides would be allowed into the arrival and baggage halls at international terminals. He, however, stated that only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ protocol officers might be allowed into the restricted areas. He also said that the new security measure is to also stop those that are not supposed to be within the vicinity of airports from using such facilities for loitering. According to Monye, “This unwholesome milling around in the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, areas is a threat to national security. A stop will be put to the practice forthwith. “The composition of this committee should make it clear that we are also taking certain informed measures bordering on national security at our international airports. “For obvious reasons, I may not need to spell out the details of the message at this press conference.” He said the new directive is in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. On the gridlock at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Monye said that the committee would soon find a lasting solution to it, maintaining that the situation could no longer be tolerated by the government. Members of the Presidential Committee are drawn from the Police, National Security Adviser, NSA, the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, NAF, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the State Security Service, SSS.