Insecurity around airports: Trouble looms as reps invite aviation minister, Sirika

The House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to appear before its Committee on Aviation to explain how bandits gained entrance to the Kaduna airport and kidnapped 11 persons.

At the plenary on Wednesday, the House unanimously adopted a motion moved by Mr Musa Pali, who prayed the House to “invite the Minister of Aviation to brief the Committee on Aviation on how the bandits gained entrance into the Kaduna airport and how to prevent future reoccurrences in the nation’s airports.”

The House, which unanimously adopted the motion, also urged the Inspector–General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and other security operatives at the nation’s airports to “beef up security prevent such breach and to secure the release of the abducted people and fish out the bandits.”

The motion was titled ‘Need to Secure Airports across the Country.’

Pali said, “The House notes that on March 6, 2021, bandits invaded the staff quarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at Kaduna Airport and kidnapped about 11 people.

“The House is concerned that if attacks and other security challenges are allowed in the nation’s airports, which are the safest means of transportation today and high forex earner for the economy, Nigeria’s air transport will be exposed to the security challenges facing the land transport.

“The House is worried that 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 (member) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and the wife and son of a staff (member) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

“The House is also worried that if the security around Nigeria’s airport is not urgently improved, it could scare international travellers, including investors, and may bring sanctions from international regulatory bodies.” Punch