The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) has again condemned in strong terms the latest assault of an Aviation Security (AVSEC) staff, by the head of the Directorate of State Security ( DSS), Mr Safiyanu Abba, for carrying out his assigned duty at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
According to the latest information, Mr Abba was alleged to have assaulted the AVSEC staff when he tried to stop him from searching a visitor who walked through the metal detector activating the alarm.
A statement posted on the Twitter page of the aviation agency on Wednesday said:
“We note with dismay that Mr Safiyanu Abba, the Head of DSS at NAIA deliberately obstructed airport Security process, and slapped an Aviation Security Officer who was performing his duty by calling on Mr Safiyanu Abba to desist from doing so.
“This happened on the 17th July at about 15:25 hours. He breached security procedure by obstructing further searching of a visitor who had just walked through the metal detector and activated the alarm.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria strongly condemns this abuse of power and the Security process in our airport. This has also been duly escalated,” it said.
This is the third time, since the reopening of airports after the Covid-19 lockdown, that FAAN would be speaking against VIPs who allegedly flout safety protocols at airports across the country.
The agency had recently criticised and described former Governor Abdulaziz Yari as “irresponsible” for allegedly assaulting one of its officials who insisted on disinfecting his luggage at the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.
FAAN had also berated Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for alleged fragrant disregard for airport protocols at the Kano airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport.