Terrorism: UN launches security audits at airports and in Lagos

Arriving in Nigeria to conduct security audits at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is a team of experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations organization that oversees the world’s aviation sector.

Critical areas of aviation security that will be audited include Acts of Unlawful Interference, Facilitation, Training, Quality Control Function, Operations, Cargo, Mail, and Catering, as well as Inflight Security, Passenger and Baggage Security, and Legislation.

It is known as the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Program for the Airports in Lagos and Abuja using Continuous Monitoring Approach.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, revealed the situation in a statement on Monday.

The roughly two-week-long USAP CMA audit is scheduled to conclude on March 22, 2024.

The four players on the team are Alagie Jeng, Tebogo Mphela, James Mabala, and team captain Callum Vine, according to the release.

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, was cited as emphasizing the value of the audit in maintaining the highest security standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Keyamo claims that the audit is an attempt to maintain the best security standards possible in every area of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

By means of stringent assessments, thorough reviews, and cooperative alliances, Nigeria seeks to strengthen her defenses against changing threats and weaknesses.

The ICAO auditors were greeted and the goals of the USAP CMA were emphasized by Chris Najomo, the acting director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

He claims that the purpose of the audit is to enhance aviation security worldwide by means of auditing and ongoing monitoring of member states’ AVSEC performance. This is accomplished by evaluating the degree to which essential components of the states’ AVSEC oversight system are effectively implemented, as this gives an indication of how sustainable the state’s AVSEC system is.

Evaluation of a nation’s compliance with ICAO’s Annex 9 and 17 concerning Facilitation and AVSEC standards, which are a component of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

“Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja have been selected as airports where verification of the implementation of security measures will be carried out as part of the on-site auditing process,” a portion of the announcement stated.

He gave the ICAO audits his word that Nigeria had strengthened its security procedures since the previous audit and promised full cooperation to ensure a smooth operation.

However, he expressed hope that Nigeria would improve on its current ranking given the industry’s progressive changes since the last exercise and the current administration’s level of commitment to ensuring secure, safe, and effective air travel in Nigeria.

Najomo pledged to offer assistance and full cooperation in order to make sure the drill goes off without a hitch.