We have Fortified Security at Our Airports, Says FAAN

Abuja Airport

By Chinedu Eze

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it has beefed up security at the nation’s airports, especially the international gateways in recognition of the latest terror threats unmasked by the United States, which indicated that Al Qaeda has prepared special bombs that could evade detection by the traditional X-ray machines.

The General Manager, Corporate Communication of FAAN, Yakubu Dati, said the agency had improved security at the nation’s airports even before the current threat from al Qaeda since the home grown terror threat may be working in concert with the international terror organisations.

Dati said that FAAN’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) conducts comprehensive body search of passengers and checked in bags and hand luggage are subjected to extra scrutiny, adding that the airport terminals are also being fortified to prevent drive in bombers.

He therefore appealed to passengers to arrive at the airports at least three hours before international flights and two hours for domestic flights as more time is devoted to screening passengers to ensure the security and safety of travellers and other airport users.

The General Manager also disclosed the federal government recently acquired new security equipment which were deployed at the airports. He also said FAAN has trained new security personnel on new security threats including terror attacks, adding that some of the new equipment include full body scanners which thoroughly examines and detects any dangerous object in the passenger’s body, same with luggages.

On July 3, 2014, US issued global alert on al Qaeda threat and closed its 22 embassies, most of them located in the Middle East, warning its citizens of potential "terrorist attacks", particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, a day after it said 22 embassies and consulates would close on Sunday (July 6, 2014) over security fears.

Al Jazeera reported that Britain also announced that it would close its embassy in Yemen for two days - Sunday and Monday. Several embassy staff have been withdrawn from the capital, Sanaa, the foreign office in London said.

A US official told the AFP news agency on Friday that President Barack Obama had ordered "all appropriate steps" to combat a threat that officials said comes from the al-Qaeda armed group.

In a statement released on Friday, the US administration said it had information that al-Qaeda and its affiliates may redouble efforts to carry out attacks in the period between now and the end of August.

"Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests", the US statement read.

"US citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services."

A spokesman for Britain's foreign office said it was "particularly concerned about the security situation in  the final days of Ramadan and into Eid".
The US alert expires on August 31 and state department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, called it "precautionary".

"The Department of State has instructed certain US embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4," Harf said.

The decision was taken "out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations", she said.