Stories by Matthew Denis
Mixed feelings have trailed the propose a plan to grant Aviation Security (AvSEC) licence to bear firearms.
Some passengers at the Ilorin International Airport at the weekend, expressed divergent views over the development.
While some are of the view that it could lead to duties overlap since there is the presence of armed officers of the Nigerian Air Force at the airports across the country, others said it would help strengthen security.
A passenger, Chief Adebowale Olatunji stressed that it is a good development, saying, ” It will help reduce activities of drugs traffickers and other related crimes at the airport.”
Another passenger, Mr. Elab Isaiah said, ” It is unnecessary for AVSEC to bear guns since we have other security agencies like the Air Force, DSS, police, among others at the airport.
” Is it that AvSEC will be doing the same work as personnel of Department of State Security or Air Force and NDLEA who are already armed at the airport?, ” he queried.
He suggested that the Federal Government should only strengthen security at the airport by redeploying more DSS to the terminal buildings.
In her view, a retired security personnel, Mrs. Margaret Williams Akpan, said a special squad of the AVSEC should be armed.
“Since AVSEC operations is restricted to the airport entrance gates, terminal buildings and some exit points, there should be special squad within the AVSEC that should be armed, ” she noted.
Earlier, The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority will soon be issued licensed arms to complement the efforts of other agencies in handling security threats at airports across the country
According to him discussions were at their final stage of approval, which would further strengthen the integrity of the airports in view of the growing threats to the aviation industry.
He said “The Nigerian Government approved arms bearing for AVSEC which is a notable achievement in this administration’s effort at improving the general safety of its citizenry and passengers passing through our airports.”
He said the approval was part of efforts by President Buhari’s administration to give the country dividends of democracy.
According to him, re-branding of AVSEC (Aviation Security) was important and creating a recognisable corporate identity for officers with the aim of making them much more professional and customer friendly to meet with the initiative of the Ease of Doing Business.
Senator Sirika said most countries had shown keen interest in the country’s growing and expanding aviation industry, stressing that aviation security was seen as a pivotal tool to sustaining safety.
The Minister noted that the United Nations’ decision to establish two aviation security training colleges in the country was another notable achievement of the present administration
