General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu speaks on security at the airport during this Yuletide season against the recent security breach at the airport involving a private jet at the Evergreen Apple hanger where it was alleged that a Vista jet taxing to park was vandalized by unknown person(s). However, FAAN has since commenced investigation into the alleged theft to unravel the identity of the suspect.
In this interview she speaks on plans put in place by FAAN to ensure a hitch-free before, during and after the Yuletide celebrations.
How safe are passengers using the nation’s airport this Yuletide against the recent theft reported on a private jet at MMIA?
We have a collaboration with the military, right now there is a joint military task force on ground at the Murtala Mohammed International airport, in fact they have increased the number of times they go round the perimeter fence to ensure that there will be no breach during this Yuletide season. As an outcome of the breach the other day over the Vista jet, so I can assure our passengers that there will be no issue during this Yuletide, our security is on the Red alert, the aviation patrol team they go round the perimeter fence several times in the day, in fact I spoke with the Director Security, more guards have been employed to be stationed in the airside and areas we think are vulnerable, we have security guards stationed there I can confidently tell you that we have done everything possible to block all the loopholes.
These guards are they always on ground 24/7?
The security guards are stationed there 24 hours, 7 days a week, in fact, there are kiosk on the airside for them to rest in the heat of the day, just like shades provided on the airside for them, so when they are on duty, for the number of hours they are on duty they are not expected to leave that place on till their relief comes.
What happened to the Follow Me vehicle that follow aircraft on arrival?
In fact, we still have the Follow Me vehicle and to be candid with you the Follow Me vehicle was still with the aircraft on that day, what is amazing is the fact that within a space of 20 seconds the baggage hold was opened, you know the pilot said she just waited for 30 seconds while she was waiting for directions whether to turn to the right or to the left and that was when she said she noticed a sign on the dashboard, so she was surprised that anything could have happened with 20 seconds and the Follow Me vehicle was there and immediately she informed Aviation security, the joint military task force and FAAN aviation rushed to that place and nothing was found, there was no person loitering around that place, there was no disturbance of any kind, so we are amazed that this incident happened if indeed it happened because we still have the Follow Me vehicle.
How many of these vehicles do you have?
We have several of them positioned not just at the Murtala Mohammed International airport, we have them in Abuja, in all our major international airports, we have them there, well brightly lit in yellow colour with the sign Follow Me , they are all over, we have a lot of them not just one or two, because at times we have several arrivals at a time, so a vehicle is suppose to go and lead the aircraft in.
Do you suspect probably somebody came in through the perimeter fence or maybe is just an insider operation?
Honestly, I don’t want to preempt aviation security because right now they are carrying out investigation, so I wouldn’t want to say anything until their report is ready
