FAAN unveils armed security unit to tackle touting, others at airports

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the issue of extortion of passengers by officials of government agencies at the airports is beyond the ministry’s control.
Keyamo, who stated this in a post on his X handle, said he had been receiving calls from concerned members of the public over the menace, which according to him, had been maligning Nigeria’s public image.
He noted that most of the agencies involved in this act are not under the control of the Aviation Ministry, though they are stationed at the airports.
The minister’s reaction comes as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, on June 14th, issued a warning to airport users against offering bribes and encouraging extortion.
The agency stated that any staff or government agency operating at the airports found guilty of accepting bribes would face punishment.
The body also announced the launch of a task force to eliminate touting, extortion, and other illicit activities at airports nationwide.