Festus Keyamo, has taken a firm stance against the Department of State Services (DSS) involvement in baggage screening at Nigerian airports. This declaration marks a significant shift in airport security protocols and highlights growing concerns about overlapping agency jurisdictions at the nation’s air terminals.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News’ ‘This Morning’ programme, Keyamo explicitly stated that the DSS should restrict its activities to profiling individuals under security surveillance rather than conducting routine baggage searches. DSS, you have no business searching people’s bags,” the Minister declared, emphasizing that the agency’s role should be limited to monitoring specific individuals who warrant security attention.
The Minister’s statement brings to light the complex web of multiple agency involvement at Nigerian airports, where passengers currently face a gauntlet of security checks from various organizations including the DSS, Nigerian Drug Law Agency (NDLEA), Customs, and Quarantine services. This multiplicity of checks has resulted in significant delays and frustrating queues for travelers, prompting the need for reform in airport security procedures.
The situation is further complicated by the organizational structure of these agencies, as Keyamo acknowledged that many of them operate independently of the Aviation Ministry’s direct control. All these agencies at our airports are not directly under our control,” he explained, highlighting the challenge of implementing immediate changes to long-standing security arrangements that predated his administration.
In addressing the role of customs officials, Keyamo pointed out that their focus should be primarily on incoming goods rather than outbound items. This clarification suggests a broader vision for streamlining airport operations and reducing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that currently impede smooth passenger flow through Nigerian airports.
The Minister’s stance represents a significant shift in approach to airport security management and raises important questions about the appropriate balance between security measures and operational efficiency. It challenges the current system where multiple agencies perform overlapping functions, often leading to redundant checks and unnecessary delays for travelers.
This development comes at a crucial time when Nigerian airports are striving to meet international standards and improve passenger experience. The multiple layers of security checks have long been a source of complaint among travelers, who often face lengthy delays due to repeated screening procedures by different agencies.
The Minister’s comments suggest a move toward a more streamlined and efficient airport security system, one that clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of various security agencies. This approach aims to eliminate redundant procedures while maintaining necessary security standards at Nigerian airports.
However, implementing these changes may prove challenging, given the established operational patterns and the independent nature of these security agencies. The situation requires careful coordination between the Ministry of Aviation and other government departments to ensure that any modifications to current security protocols maintain the safety and security of air travel while improving efficiency.
The broader implications of this policy shift extend beyond mere operational changes. It signals a potential reorganization of airport security procedures that could significantly impact how Nigerian airports function and how passengers experience air travel. The move could also influence how various security agencies interact and coordinate their activities within the airport environment.
As the aviation sector continues to evolve and adapt to changing security needs and passenger expectations, the Minister’s statement marks an important step toward modernizing airport operations in Nigeria. It reflects a growing recognition of the need to balance robust security measures with efficient airport operations and improved passenger experience.
The success of this initiative will largely depend on the ability of various stakeholders to work together in implementing these changes while ensuring that airport security remains effective and comprehensive. As these developments unfold, the aviation sector watches closely to see how this new approach to airport security will be implemented and what impact it will have on the overall functioning of Nigerian airports.
