Terror attack: FAAN enhances security at airports

The terrorist attack in Istanbul Ataturk airport that left scores of people dead and several others injured has jolted airport authorities around the globe.

Consequently, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has enhanced security measures, passenger facilitation at all airports.

The agency disclosed that it has also enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors

The authority equally advised all airport users, especially passengers and airline operators, to be security conscious at airports, following the spate of recent security breaches, including bomb blasts, at some airports around the world.

Spokesman for the agency, Yakubu Dati advised passengers not to accept any luggage from anyone and to report any suspicious movements or behaviour immediately to Aviation Security Personnel in the terminals.

He said on its part, the authority has put adequate security measures in place at all Nigerian airports, to forestall any form of security breach, including the installation of 3D screening machines, metal detectors and CCTV cameras.

Dati noted that apart from the statutory security and safety measures already in place at the airports, sniffer dogs and members of the Bomb Detection Unit of the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed at the airports, to complement the effort of our Aviation Security personnel at the security screening points.

His words, “Inspite of these heightened security measures, passenger facilitation at all our airports has also been enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors. Airport terminals have also been expanded and modernised to provide better ambience and more space for passenger comfort.”

Experts have called for a worldwide rethink on airport security following the suicide bombings at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport.

The demands reflect the increased likelihood of terror attacks throughout Europe, with seven countries across the continent considered ‘high risk’ by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as a new map highlighting the differing levels of threat reveals.

Indeed, the terror attack in Turkey hit one day after the US State Department issued a travel warning to American citizens about the increased terror threat in the Turkey – and to avoid the south of the country altogether.

The current threat level in Turkey is currently classified as an emergency alert.

And at the beginning of June, the State Department issued a Europe-wide travel alert, specifically concerning the European Soccer Championship currently underway in France and for the Catholic Church’s World Youth day in Poland this July.

Ataturk reopened for flights and departures just hours after three suicide bombers killed up to 50 people and wounded 147 yesterday evening, but the incident has highlighted how international airports are now seen as ‘soft targets’ for ISIS.

Wole Shadare