By Chinelo Obogo
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has announced plans to introduce a unified joint monitoring and screening system at airports nationwide.
This was revealed by Air Commodore Ahmad Madawaki who represented the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu during an aviation security symposium held in Lagos on Tuesday. Madaki said the new system will strengthen aviation security and eliminate touting at airport facilities across the country.
The symposium, themed; “The Fundamentality of Security in Achieving the Safe Skies Goals,” brought together stakeholders and experts from the aviation and security sectors.
In addition to the new screening system, Madawaki disclosed that ONSA is developing a security threat assessment framework for all airports and airstrips in Nigeria through a multi-stakeholder approach. He said that the NSA’s office is taking these steps as part of comprehensive efforts to secure the country’s aviation sector.
Madawaki, who is also a member of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), called for more vigilance and collaboration among aviation stakeholders. He said: “The Nigerian government, especially the Office of the National Security Adviser, is concerned about the security of our airspace and airports. The mandate of the Office is to coordinate the operations of relevant security agencies to ensure that aviation operations are protected from acts of unlawful interferences. We cannot afford to look the other way or to focus on insecurity in the North East and ignore other parts until something serious happens.”
He also said that aviation security must evolve with emerging threats and stressed the importance of keeping the regulations established by international and national aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He further urged security services and drug law enforcement agents to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of passengers, airports, and Nigerian airspace.
“Training and retraining of all staff must be prioritised, tracking devices should be installed and maintained, while proper data collection and management must be put in place and monitored. Aviation security must be taken seriously because it is the backbone of safe air travel. It is the invisible shield that makes the goal of safe skies a reality,” Madawaki said.