THE Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has begun screening of visitors at both the Hajj camp and the Cargo terminal as part of efforts to beef up security in and around strategic facilities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The measure is also aimed at checking increasing human traffic, lay-about and rowdiness in and around the two facilities.

An official of FAAN who spoke with The Guardian on condition of anonymity said the exercise was in line with the implementation of access permit to regulate movement into, from and within the airport for the overall security of all operations, personnel and logistics.

The exercise caused slight disruption in the human traffic to and from the gate.

When The Guardian visited the terminal, it observed that security operatives were at the gate asking for access permit from people.
The implementation of the permit coincided with the opening for use the new main gate leading to the two facilities. The FAAN said
“We just open the other access gate for the first time for operational uses while the other gate, which has been in existence, is for exit. This monument gate is for pedestrians. All pedestrians have to come in through this gate where we have the screening machine for their bags to be screened. We also start the implementation of the access permit today.  If you don’t have your access permit that means you don’t have business with us.”

Speaking further she noted that, “As at yesterday, the Terminal Security Officer (TSO) went round to the stakeholders to remind them of the implementation of this exercise today. We have been on this since last year, we would have implemented it but for one reason or the other it was postponed until now.

“My advice to pedestrians is to adhere to what FAAN is saying, if you don’t have business here, don’t come because this is not a terminus like motor park and we don’t want this place be congested with all kinds of people.”