The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) run Nigeria Aviation Security is set to bear arms before the end the administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari ends o May 29th, 2023.
Economy Footprint gathered exclusively that FAAN already taken delivery of a large cache of arms and have been kept in safe vaults awaiting deployment after the required trainings have happened.
Recall the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had in 2018 approved that the Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel should bear arms. Subsequently, in 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEEC) approved that the AVSEC personnel should bear arms like the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) of the United States of America.
Briefing reporters on the FEC approval, the Minister had said.
“We are very serious about aviation security, just last week the President approved that aviation security should bear arms, so we are trying to make them take the form and shape of TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons, light weapons, etc.
“So, very soon you will them with uniform, doing different functions and securing our airports.
“All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting,’’ he said.
Our correspondent leant that for about four years, the Ministry of Aviation and the agency involved, the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) have been working on the modalities that will enable AVSEC bear arms and enhance safety at the airports. This became rife because of elevated terrorism threats and other insecurities at the airports.
Speaking to our correspondent exclusively, the FAAN MD Capt. Yadudu said the dream is now a reality as the arms have arrived Nigeria.
“We thank God for the approval. AVSEC now has arms. It is not yet in use but it is already delivered in Nigeria. We have a huge consignment and we also have a training arrangement to be implemented by the DSS for AVSEC” Capt. Yadudu said.
“We have shooting ranges already constructed across the major airports to cater for their training needs in terms if using the arms. We have armories to be storing the arms” he further explained.
According to him, “everything is set. What is remaining now is for FAAN to start implementing the training with the DSS. Soon, we should commence. We re just waiting for the DSS to have some space in their training centre for us to commence” he said.
