The news:
- The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has begun training personnel from key agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Immigration Service.
- The training is part of the federal government’s plan to roll out 1,000 body cameras to staff working at major airports.
- This move is aimed at improving security and tackling extortion at Nigeria's airports.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, revealed these details during a recent interview, stating that the body camera initiative will help reduce cases of harassment and extortion by airport officials.
Keyamo highlighted the collaboration between his Ministry and the NSA, noting that the cameras will be linked to a live Command Centre for real-time monitoring.
He explained, “We are the landlords of the airports, so we are working with the National Security Adviser. As I speak with you, the NSA has obtained 1,000 body cams. Training is ongoing. We want to equip them with body cams.”
According to him, the cameras will work similarly to CCTV systems, with live feeds being transmitted to the Command Center to ensure transparency and safety.
The deployment of body cameras is expected to bring significant improvements to the passenger experience at airports. By deterring corrupt practices and enabling constant monitoring, the government hopes to boost confidence among travellers, especially at major international airports.
The current training phase is aimed at ensuring that FAAN, Customs, and Immigration staff are fully equipped to handle the technology before it is deployed.
Keyamo shared that the 1,000 body cameras will be distributed across various agencies to help curb malpractice.
He also assured Nigerians that the government is rapidly moving towards implementation, adding that the project will bring "speedy results" to address long-standing issues in airport operations.
Additionally, to further reduce harassment, the Ministry has introduced direct contact lines for passengers to report cases of extortion. These lines are now available at major airports such as Lagos, allowing travellers to report incidents instantly.
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This initiative responds to increasing concerns about the behaviour of airport officials, particularly regarding their interactions with travellers.
Keyamo acknowledged that while FAAN primarily airport operations, complaints often stem from the actions of agencies such as Customs and Immigration. Through this collaboration, however, the government hopes to resolve these issues and restore confidence in airport services.