Global terrorism: Again, FAAN reassures travellers

In apparent response to safety concerns in airports nationwide, amid global threat by terrorist organisations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), yesterday, said significant efforts have been made to allay fears.

Managing Director of the Authority, Saleh Dunoma, in a statement, gave the assurance, saying the Federal Government has enhanced security, in response to attacks at soft targets, like airports.

Three suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, killing 44 people and wounding 239 on Tuesday night. Earlier, in March, coordinated bombings by terrorists at an airport and a metro station in Brussels, Belgium, killed 32 persons and injured 300. And in Bangladesh on Friday, 20 persons were killed when gunmen stormed a restaurant popular with foreigners in Dhaka, the nation’s capital.

FAAN had on Friday warned passengers, especially as the Sallah holiday approaches, to be wary of total strangers and suspicious activities around the airports.

Dunoma, yesterday, reiterated there is no cause for alarm. “Security is already in place. The only thing is that once things happen, you need to beef it up to a certain level above what we already have on ground. Such measures have been put in place. All the airports have been advised through a circular that they should improve security intelligence, especially on the landside,” he said.

Dunoma also spoke on concerns about insider threats, disclosing that the agency profiles workers who have access to sensitive areas, including the airside, and that every six months, on-duty cards are renewed. He added that before the renewal, the agency carries out background checks on personnel.