Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has clarified that the Department of State Services (DSS) is not responsible for searching passengers’ bags at airports. The minister made this known during an interview on the ‘This Morning’ programme on Arise News on Sunday, offering clarity on the roles of various security agencies at the country’s airports....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Keyamo used Lagos International Airport as an example, explaining that passengers are initially screened through a machine upon arrival, and their bags are then inspected at a joint inspection table. He noted that the practice of multiple agencies—customs, DSS, NDLEA, quarantine, among others—conducting bag checks at the same table often causes significant congestion, leading to blockages that extend to the entrance gates.
To address these issues, Keyamo revealed that the ministry has dismantled the joint inspection tables at airports, with agencies now collaborating with aviation security to conduct streamlined and efficient searches. He emphasized that the DSS is tasked with profiling passengers traveling in and out of the country, not conducting physical bag searches.
Keyamo elaborated, “DSS should not be searching people’s bags. Their role is to profile individuals who may be under security scrutiny. They should work alongside immigration officials, not interfere in the screening process.”
He further explained that when security personnel notice suspicious items during the initial screening, they should pull passengers aside for private searches, rather than conducting a public search at the joint inspection tables.
The minister also addressed the federal government’s recent measures to curb the harassment faced by travelers due to multiple agencies stationed at airports. He stressed that while security checks are necessary, the government aims to streamline the processes to reduce instances of extortion, corruption, and delays.
Keyamo concluded, “We are not removing security agencies, but we want to ensure they follow best practices in line with international standards to improve the passenger experience.” ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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