Armed aviation security personnel will not operate inside and around the terminal buildings of Nigeria’s airports, contrary to popular belief. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s Director of Aviation Security Services, Igbafe Afegbai, clarified this while explaining armed security teams’ roles.
He emphasized that although armed, the AVSEC team will not interfere with the functions of other paramilitary or intelligence agencies. Afegbai stated, “The formation of the squad is not to undermine already existing security structure but to improve perimeter security.”
Armed aviation security personnel will work around the perimeter fences, which in Lagos alone stretch 13 kilometers. Additionally, their functions are external, and their presence will help combat illicit activities around the airports. “More often than not, we have a lot of incursions from the perimeter area. Afegbai explained, “Look at Lagos, especially in Ejibo, where dilapidated structures around the fence allow intruders to gain access and steal.”
The director highlighted that there will be no clash because everyone has their duties. “Customs has its duties to check for unauthorized duty-bound items,” he added. Moreover, he stressed, “Everybody has their own distinctive work, and the armed unit is not for internal terminal usage. They are not for internal but external use. In Nigeria, people fear mostly when they see you with arms. All these touting, illegal parking, drivers struggling with passengers, and troubling passengers are the things we want to address.”
Afegbai also discussed measures taken to improve general security around the airports, including the procurement of 400 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as well as 3,000 walkie-talkies to enhance communication. “We installed a lot of CCTV cameras in preparation for the audit, along with other improvements. Likewise, we had blind spots where there were no CCTV cameras which we have installed. Additionally, we purchased over 400 CCTV cameras and installed them at the perimeter fences and other crucial areas, he noted.
Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of a control room and an Emergency Operation Control room (EOC) staffed by Avsec and the fire service. “We requested the approval of 3,000 walkie-talkies and have been supplied with 500 so far. What we want to do is make sure every AVSEC personnel and the fire service all have personal walkie-talkies. This is for the ease of communication,” he explained.
On security patrols, Afegbai said, “When we arrived, many operational vehicles were down, so we rehabilitated and utilized them for AVSEC.” This enables AVSEC to have up to 24-hour patrol around the perimeter, the landside, and airside. We have put a lot of security measures in place.”