Najomo, Demuren raise concern over emerging threats to civil aviation

A former Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr. Harold Demuren stated that the advent of September 11, 2001, brought a new dimension to aviation security measures.

He noted that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) encouraged states to take aviation security as the highest priority through, primary legislation, regulation, programmes and standard operating procedures to mitigate the threat against civil aviation.

Demuren who spoke at the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement in Lagos with theme, “Enhancing Safety, Compliance, and Collaboration for Efficient Airstrips Operations” said the world now live in a time where there are new and emerging threats to civil aviation especially, conflict zones, stressing these areas pose significant risks to civilian aircraft due to potential threats like armed conflict and anti-aircraft weaponry.

He urged the governments and airlines to conduct thorough risk assessments of potential conflict zones, considering factors, like the type of conflict, the presence of anti-aircraft weaponry.

States he said may restrict or close airspace over conflict zones to protect civilian aircraft from the risk of deliberate or accidental attacks.

His words, “Its worth to note that the latest concern in the industry is cybersecurity; with increasing reliance on digital platform, cyber security threats are becoming a major concern, requiring proactive cybersecurity measures.”

The former DG disclosed that insider threat is one of the worst threat to aviation security , stressing that people have different religious beliefs, political differences, money problems and outright greed for sabotaging aviation security.

“In our own particular environment, joblessness is now a major issue unfortunately, those who are supposed to protect people compromise security”.

To curb insider threat, constant profiling, regular background checks, adequate remuneration and timely payment of Salary, training and capacity building, timely sharing of Sensitive Security Information (SSI), he said are the way out.

He stated that aviation security is the responsibility of everyone and “we must prioritize continuous training and awareness in oversight and implementation agencies.”

To avoid rivalry that destroying the synergy required in mitigating the threat against the civil aviation, to solidify continuous collaboration and cooperation among the security agencies such as the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority AVSEC (FAAN),  Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS), the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force and private security providers.

In his address, the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo stated that the threat environment is constantly changing and any attack on civil aviation through any one of these means can be countered by the implementation of effective aviation security counter measures.

Najomo said, “These attacks against civil aviation can be countered by the Implementation of effective aviation security measures and procedures, and of course, by competent personnel. Today’s symposium goes beyond a mere academic exercise or just an exchange of ideas, to a veritable avenue for strategic collaboration, innovation, and proffering real actionable solutions. We can shape a safer and more secure future for Nigeria and global aviation.”

Wole Shadare