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Tag: Airport

  • FAAN security personnel slumps, dies at Lagos airport

    FAAN security personnel slumps, dies at Lagos airport

    A Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel, Mr Usman Mohammed, on Friday slumped and died while on duty at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    Mr Olayinka Abioye, immediate past General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    Abioye said :” The deceased was a former executive member of NUATE, FAAN branch.

    “We learnt he was on duty yesterday when he suddenly collapsed and died before receiving medical attention.”

    He said the deceased, who is survived by a wife and five children, had been buried according to Islamic rites.

    Abioye described Mohammed’s demise as unfortunate, stressing that the FAAN management must give priority and urgent attention to the well being of workers.

    According to him, some aviation security staff are being made to work more than the required eight hours per day without rest periods or compensation.

    “It is said that some of them work for 12 hours at a stretch without break simply because the Directorate of Aviation Security is suffering from dearth of adequate manpower,” he alleged.

    Abioye said although FAAN had been carrying out recruitments from time to time, such exercises were not on need basis as expected but on political expediency.

    He said aviation security, which operates under Section 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) convention, was critical to airport operations and must be adequately staffed.

    Abioye, therefore, urged FAAN management to deploy more personnel to the directorate and also provide adequate medical facilities at the airport to prevent recurrence of such incident.

    NAN

  • Report any officer demanding bribe – FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has advised passengers and airport users to report any of its security officers demanding bribe to the appropriate authorities.

    Mrs Herientta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, gave the advice in a statement on Friday, in Lagos.

    Yakubu said the advice was necessitated by the allegations that some FAAN aviation security personnel were demanding to be bribed before allowing airport users into the terminal.

    She said that the airport was a public facility and no charge was required from any genuine user to access the facility.

    According to her, access might, however, be restricted or controlled sometimes in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference at the airports.

    “All passengers and airport users who might want to transact some business at the airports are advised not to give money to anyone to gain access into the airport and report related cases to appropriate authorities.

    “FAAN remains committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort,” she added.

    NAN

  • EFCC Intercepts N211m Gold at Lagos airport

    EFCC Intercepts N211m Gold at Lagos airport

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have intercepted gold worth about N211 million being illegally transported through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

    EFCC Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Tony Orilade, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Orilade said that the consignment was en route Dubai.

    He said “following intelligence reports, the operatives on Nov. 9, 2018 uncovered the gold weighing about 35kg just at the point of departure of a suspect currently in the EFCC’s custody.”

    He said that investigations were currently ongoing to unravel the accomplice behind the illegal movement of the item.

    “Meanwhile, the suspect is cooperating with operatives.

    “It will be recalled that the EFCC also in March 2017, intercepted bags containing a total of N49 million cash being illegally transported out of the country through the Kaduna International Airport,” Orilade said.

    NAN

  • Aisha Buhari honours airport cleaner who returned lost bag

    Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has presented an award of excellent to a janitor with Lakewood Development Company, Miss Mary Ishaya, who returned a lost bag she picked up in the male toilet of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Mrs Buhari, who presented the award at a brief reception in the State House, Abuja, urged Nigerians to “emulate the uncommon honesty and incorruptible disposition exhibited by Miss Ishaya.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had on Sept. 11, 2018 on its official tweeter handle @FAAN_Official tweeted:
    “we celebrate Miss Mary Ishaya who works for Lakewood Company, the cleaning contractor responsible for cleaning Abuja Airport.

    “She found the following valuable items in the toilet: 2,000 dollars, 140 Canadian dollars, eight pieces of coins, N21,850, two international passports, four ATM cards, four bus cards and baggage claim tags.

    “The owner, an employee of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Imade Uhunwagho, has since collected his valuables.”

    NAN also recalled that the cleaning firm had in appreciation, promoted Miss Ishaya from being a janitor to a supervisor.

    Ishaya thanked the wife of the President for recognising her action, adding that the award would encourage her to do more.

    The Vice Chairman of the Company, Mr Jonathan Irafor, expressed gratitude to Mrs Buhari for finding Ishaya worthy of the award.

    According to him, the honour is not just on Ishaya alone but the entire company because that is what it preaches to to its workers.

    Irafor said that the company would continue to do its best to uphold honesty, transparency and integrity in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

    NAN

  • Protests at airport after two lawmakers were detained by police

    Protests at airport after two lawmakers were detained by police

    Protests erupted in the Ugandan capital on Friday after police detained two lawmakers at the international airport as they prepared to travel abroad for medical care, witnesses said,

    People demonstrated in different parts of Kampala, burning tyres and piling rocks and other barricades in the middle of the roads.

    Police said the protests were limited and had been contained.

    The lawmakers, Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake, said they were tortured by security forces while in detention.

    They were trying to leave to seek medical treatment abroad when they were arrested at Kampala’s international airport on Thursday night.

    Kyagulanyi’s lawyer last week told Reuters that his client had been left unable to stand after being beaten while in detention.

    When he appeared in court a day after his lawyer spoke, he was unable to walk without help.

    Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo last week dismissed the lawyer’s comments as rubbish

    Friday’s demonstrations were most intense in Kamwokya, a suburb of Kampala where Kyagulanyi, a pop star known by his stage name Bobi Wine, has a recording studio, according to Dick Nvule, a local radio reporter.
    “Protesters blocked the roads using garbage cans and burning tyres. Motorists have to get alternative routes to the city centre.

    Soldiers and riot police are still clearing the roads,” Nvule told Reuters.

    Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said police were monitoring the city to ensure no illegal rallies took place.

    The two parliamentarians were among a group of five lawmakers who were detained on August 13 in Uganda’s northwestern town of Arua and accused of throwing stones at a presidential convoy during the campaign for a parliamentary seat.

    Police said on Thursday they had stopped Kyagulanyi, who has been charged with treason but released on bail, as they awaited further guidance.

    Zaake has not been charged but has been in hospital in Kampala. Images of him posted on social media show him lying on a bed, eyes closed, with multiple bruises on his hand and other body areas.

    Kyagulanyi in particular has risen as a formidable threat to President Yoweri Museveni’s 32-year rule, winning popular support through his music and strong criticism of the government.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Jim Iyke lands in trouble over slapping Dana Air staff.

    Controversial Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke was on Monday afternoon detained at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos over slapping an employee of Dana Air.

    According to reports, the actor arrived late for his 12:15pm Abuja flight and the airline’s security operative tried to help him to meet up with the flight by searching him.

    It was gathered that Iyke refused to be searched and pushed the man away, but the man maintained that he must be searched before boarding.

    The man’s resolve was said to have infuriated Iyke, who slapped the man for ‘wasting his time.’

    Iyke was later detained by officers from the Airport Police Command.

    Dana Air’s Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, said Iyke was however released, after he had apologized to the airline employee.

    Ezenwa noted that the actor eventually missed the flight, which was still on ground when the incident happened.

    The Airport’s command public relations officer, Alabi Joseph, also confirmed the occurrence adding that Iyke regained his freedom after he tendered an apology.

     

    Meanwhile, the actor fondly referred to as ‘Nollywood’s bad boy has debunked viral reports about his alleged arrest.

    Reacting over the news, Iyke in a chat with Pulseng said:“I am surprised at this news. I am presently seating at the Dana Air office about to board my flight. I missed my flight and when I got to the airport, I wanted to try and see if I could make it because the plane hadn’t gone, they even tried speaking to the pilot but it was late. They had to put me on the next flight.

    “My sister just called me to ask this same question because she said her old school friend called her and told she held about my arrest. I have been at the airport for two hours. I don’t know why people will come up with stories like this,” he said.

     

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm-_q-ChF2E/?taken-by=instablog9ja

     

     

     

  • Buhari praises airport security men for returning missing bag

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended two security men for returning a misplaced handbag containing valuables at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    An American returnee misplaced the bag, containing dollars, phone, wristwatch and other treasures.

    In a statement by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, he urged Nigerians to emulate the gesture in the spirit of a new Nigeria.

    According to the statement, a Lagos-based medical doctor, Banji Oyegbami, had received a family returning from America at the airport on August 18, 2018.

    But, while loading the luggage into the car, the handbag of the returnee’s wife fell, unknown to anyone.

    It was leant that about 90 minutes later, an officer of Halogen Security, who was on duty at the airport, called the couple to come over to retrieve the bag.

    He added that when the bag was eventually collected, the entire contents were found to be untouched.

    The grateful couple was said to have offered a generous gift to the security men, whose names were given as Francis Emepueaku and Achi Daniel, but they declined, saying they were merely doing their duties.

    Buhari said despite the scoffing by a minority number, Nigeria is resolutely on the road to a new dawn.

    “Honesty remains the best policy. We must exhibit such behaviour in whatever position we find ourselves, whether high or low.

    “The security men could have chosen to behave differently, following the self-serving principle of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them.’ But they have chosen to be examples of good, honest Nigerians. I commend their conduct to the rest of the country,” he said.

    Buhari urged Nigerians to bring out the best in themselves at all times, noting that with such minds, they can never be hoodwinked again by those who seek power for selfish and dubious reasons to return the country to an inglorious past.

    The president said Nigeria would no longer be a byword for corruption and plundering of public resources.

    He stressed that it is the path that we have chosen to take, adding that the country will eventually get to a new shore.

  • Trending: Okada riders invade Sokoto airport’s runway [Video]

    Trending: Okada riders invade Sokoto airport’s runway [Video]

    A video has gone viral showing the Sokoto Airport runway where alleged supporters of a politician rode motorcycles in pursuit of an aircraft supposedly carrying the politician.

    Meanwhile, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) condemned invasion of the runway of Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto by crowd of political loyalists.

    The FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, made the condemnation in a statement in Lagos.

    Yakubu alleged that the loyalists broke through the airport fence and invaded the airport in a bid to receive their political masters.

    Watch Video:

     

     

     

  • Calm back at Maiduguri Airport, army says protesting troops unscrupulous

    The Nigerian Army said calm has been restored at Maiduguri Airport seized for two hours on Sunday by riotous troops, that it described as ‘unscrupulous”.

    In a statement today, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command said the protest by the few unscrupulous troops happened while the command was conducting a redeployment of soldiers at the Maiduguri Airport, following a directive to review troops’ deployment in Maiduguri metropolis, to reinvigorate the security architecture of the city.

    “The redeployment became expedient after a recent assessment of the security situation by the Theatre Command. Regrettably however, a few of the troops who had misunderstood the development and erroneously assumed it was going to negatively affect their rotation from the theatre of operation became agitated and reacted by firing into the air.

    “Calm has however been restored, as the Theatre Commander, Major General Abba Dikko has promptly taken charge of the situation after addressing and admonishing the troops~”, Nwachukwu said.

    “The Theatre Command undoubtedly considers this ugly incident quite regrettable and appropriate measures are being taken to forestall a recurrence”, he added.

    NAN reports that the aggrieved soldiers claimed they had overstayed and were resisting redeployment to Marte, one of the towns liberated by the military several years ago from the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

    The protesters are part of the special force deployed to provide air defence and enhance security at the airport.

    The troops barricaded some section of the airport and fired shots in the air, causing pandemonium, as hundreds of pilgrims waiting to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, scampered for safety..

    One of the protesting soldiers who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the planned deployment was against the directives by the Army Headquarters.

    “The army special forces deployed to the airport were not trained to engage in ground battle rather trained to provide air defence.

    “Our task is to provide air defence. Alas, special forces trained to fight ground battle are stationed in Maiduguri and we are deployed to go and die in Marte”.

    Another soldier lamented that the troops have overstayed in the Northeast fighting Boko Haram, despite the rotation order by the military authorities.

    He said many of them have spent over three years in the battle field.

    “Some troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were deployed and worked for over three years in the theatre and not rotated as against the directives by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “The command is directed to redeploy soldiers back to their bases after spending stipulated time in the theatre of operation.

    “We have spent over three years in the northeast and we should be transferred out of the northeast and not within”.

  • Buhari to inaugurate Bayelsa Airport August 27

    Buhari to inaugurate Bayelsa Airport August 27

    President Muhammadu Buhari will inaugurate the Bayelsa State International Cargo Airport located at Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state on August 27.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and the Managing Director of Bayelsa Airline, Capt. Henry Ungbuku, confirmed the development when the commissioner toured the project on Friday.

    The airport with the longest runway of 3.5km was one of the key projects started by Governor Seriake Dickson after assuming office in 2012.

    Iworiso-Markson said test flight would begin in the project on August 20.

    The commissioner said the multi-billion naira international airport project was conceived by Dickson to improve the state economic fortune.