Arms-bearing aviation personnel ready for airports – FG

By Adoga Michael Oyi


The Federal Government on Thursday stated that adequately trained aviation security personnel , who would bear arms , were ready to start showing up at selected airports across the country .
It stated that with the support of the United Nations and the European Union , young men and women had been trained in counter - terrorism and other measures aimed at ensuring safety at the airports .
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who disclosed this at a forum in Abuja, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for AVSEC officials to bear arms , adding that they would start showing up at the airports anytime from now .
He said , “There is training of senior aviation security officers in screening , counter - terrorism etc . , by the European Union on a train- the - trainer basis . We need to specially recognise this and thank the United Nations and the EU member countries and our stakeholders, who had helped us to train some of our aviation security officers .
“We also thank Mr . President for we were able to secure approval from him for AVSEC to be trained and retrained , and to allow them to bear arms so that our airports will be much more secure . ”
Sirika stated that it was important for aviation security officers to be armed, as he cited an instance where passengers overpowered unarmed AVSEC officers , gained entry into the tarmac of an international airport and prevented the aircraft of a foreign airline from taking off .
The minister said , “So, we are training young men and women as aviation security, we are profiling them and then we will ensure that very soon , they are experienced enough for the job.
“And I’ m sure that by the end of this quarter , the first set of aviation security personnel who are well trained with different uniforms , thinking and levels of experience , supported by the UN and EU counter - terrorism and all our stakeholders will be unveiled to carry out their duties at the airports . ”
Sirika explained that the move to arm AVSEC officers was aimed at complementing other agencies at the airports in addressing security threats .