Nigeria Says ‘Criminal Elements’ Planning to Attack Airports

The Nigerian government says it has received an alert over planned attacks on airports across the West African country.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the alert was received from the country’s ministry of aviation with the planned attack aimed at airports in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, and Lagos states.

The alert was contained in a memo signed by S.M. Mamman, FAAN deputy general manager of administration and logistics, and addressed to airport chiefs of security.

“I am directed to convey an alert from the Ministry of Aviation regarding security threats by criminal elements against Airports in Nigeria and to request for the immediate enumeration of necessary countermeasures for the protection of Airports/Facilities under your purview,” the memo reads.

“Specifically, the Airports top on the list for which criminals are considering carrying out attacks include those in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, and Lagos amongst others. However, all airports are hereby alerted and requested to operate at a heightened threat level.”

The airport chiefs have also been directed to “submit a list of existing and additional countermeasures to address the threats, along with their cost implications where applicable”.

The airport chiefs are also expected to as a matter of urgency convene an emergency meeting of airport security committees “to review the status of airport security, jointly recommend appropriate measures and share responsibility for effective implementation”.

By Abel Ejikeme

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