Tag Archives: Lagos AIRPORT

Customs impounds 2 helicopters at Lagos airport

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized two helicopters and 23 consignments of accessories illegally imported into the country.

Dan Ugo, a deputy comptroller-general of customs, told reporters on Friday that the two helicopters and accessories, valued at N9.7 billion, were impounded at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

“The consignment was detained at SAHCOL cargo shed. Upon examination, the consignment was found to contain two civil models of Bell Helicopters 412 EP, with serial numbers 36608 and 36606,” he said.

“The consignment also contains 23 packages of accessories, weighing 11,475kg.”

He said the two helicopters and other accessories were seized because the importer could not provide end user certificate from the office of the national security adviser (NSA).

Ugo said the importer had contravened section 36 (2) of customs and excise management Act (CEMA), Law of Nigeria, 2004.

According to him, the consignment, which was impounded on November 7, 2016, had a duty paid value of N9, 757,135,240.86.

“This equipment was seized because the importer contravened the customs Act,” he said.

“The comptroller-general of customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, in appreciation of the roles of air force has directed that the equipment should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.

“When we make seizures, we go through legal process by approaching the court of competent jurisdiction to file for condemnation and forfeiture to the federal government of Nigeria, which had been done.

“This falls within the purview of the Nigerian Air Force which will put it to use maximally to protect us as a nation.”

He called for continuous synergy between the customs and other government agencies for the safety and security of the nation.

Ugo commended the customs officers who made the seizure and assured them of continued moral support from the customs service.

Hyacinth Eze, an air commodore, received the consignment on behalf of Sadiq Abubakar, the chief of air staff.

South African Airways Manager Lambasts Nigerian Airports.

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The manager of South African Airways, one of the continent’s largest airlines, condemned the decrepit state of Nigeria’s airports while addressing aviation journalists in Lagos on Thursday.

Mr. Ohis Ehimiaghe, SAA regional manager for North, West and Central Africa, described the nation’s airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), as the worst in the three regions he manages.

One target of his criticism was the state of the washrooms at MMIA, saying that their poor conditions could lead to public health problems.

“Some of the facilities at the airports have completely collapsed and naturally irritate normal and rational passengers. For instance, if you decide to use the washroom facilities, your hormone system will definitely have challenges,” Mr. Ehimiaghe said.

He further criticized the security agents at MMIA for their harassment of customers.

“Going through the MMIA is a challenge and very bad for usage by a rational being. The smallest airport under me is Cotonou Airport in Benin Republic. I can go to their toilets and come out with a smile on my face. We are not harassed by security agencies, unlike in Nigeria. We have scanning machines at our airports in Nigeria, so, why the harassment by the security agencies again in the country?”

Mr. Ehimiaghe also lambasted the infrastructure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, saying that the runway is in such a poor state that it damaged no fewer than four aircrafts in recent weeks. One was damaged to the extent that it had to be left in the country for over a week, he added.

Apart from facilities, the regional manager also mentioned the scarcity of aviation fuel as another major challenge confronting airline operators into the country.

He lamented that for about two weeks, the operators have not be able to purchase fuel and most times have to fly to Libreville or Accra to do so. The airline manager explained that this has increased the costs of flights for SAA.

Mr. Ehimiaghe also disclosed that the airline lost 40 per cent of its ticket sales to the recent forex challenge in the country.

He specifically mentioned that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered them to exchange a dollar at between N306 and N308, but the bank itself sells as high as N360 to N370 per dollar to the operators.

“Today, we are selling tickets at N306 and N308 per dollar, but it’s much more expensive than that in the black market and even in the open market. Since June, there has not been a date that we are able to repatriate our ticket sales funds at N308, but we do that at N360 to N370 per dollar.

“90 per cent of our operations are in foreign exchange and no Nigerian bank gives South African Airways a loan, rather, we get loans from the United Kingdom and United States,” he said.

Mr. Ehimiaghe’s criticisms come just two days after London-bound passengers were left stranded at MMIA.

FAAN inaugurates new facilities at Lagos airport.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it had inaugurated three ultra-modern carousels and conveyor belts at the D-Arrivals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

 

FAAN made this known in a statement by its Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in Lagos on Wednesday.

 

The statement said that the carousels were inaugurated by Mr Ephraim Nwodo, General Manager, Mechanical, of the agency, adding that installing the facilities was in conformity with global trends and international best practices.

 

According to the organisation, the inauguration of these facilities will reduce delays and fast-track departure formalities of arriving passengers.

 

The statement said: “The facility is one of many projects embarked by the Federal Government to facilitate passengers’ facilitation at the airports.

 

“It is aimed at keeping pace with the growing traffic which has been on the increase since the commencement of the remodelling project, and the immense growth of the country as the fastest growing economy in Africa.

 

“The timing of this world class facility is in consonance with FAAN’s readiness to thrill her esteem airport users with a fascinating travel experience, especially with approaching yuletide usually associated with increased in-bound passengers and luggage.”

 

The organisation assured airport users of improved quality services in line with global best practices, saying it was not unmindful of the need to provide world-class facilities in spite of economic challenges facing the country.

NAF records another successful Counter-Terrorism Simulation at Lagos Airport. [Pictures]

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The Nigeria AirForce carried out another successful Counter-Terrorism Simulation at Lagos Airport.

 

The exercise which is one of many military exercises carried out to ensure that officers are updated and refreshed on new combat skills. Terrorism has become a widespread criminal activity all over the world. As such, periodic exercises like this should be a norm so as to create preparedness of military personnel incase of an eventuality.

 

This recent exercise was certified successful by the NAF authorities. Members of the public were allowed to watch the simulation which took place at the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos.

 

These among others are part of the efforts to checkmate terrorists’ activities in vulnerable public spaces. Here are some of the pictures of the exercise:

 

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Jonathan’s Ex Top Aide Arrested At Lagos Airport

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Nigerian security operatives have arrested a former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters, Waripamowei Dudafa, while attempting to travel out of the country through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

A source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said that Mr. Dudafa was on the anti-graft agency’s wanted list for his alleged involvement in the sharing of N10billion to delegates during the December 2014 presidential primaries of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr. Dudafa allegedly converted the money into US dollars, amounting to $47million, and distributed to delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Investigators say they believe the fund was part of the alleged $2.1billion meant for the purchase of arms but which authorities said was shared as slush funds to politicians through the office of a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Sources at the EFCC said that Mr. Dudafa was arrested and quizzed by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, before he was handed over to the EFCC on Monday.

“He has been on our wanted list for a long time and he evaded arrest on several occasions,” a top EFCC official, who asked not to be named, said.

Contacted, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, declined comment on the matter.

The anti-graft agency had recently arrested Mr. Jonathan’s Aide de Camp, Ojogbane Adegbe, allegedly on the directive of the Nigerian Army and later his ally, Jide Omokore, over a series of multi-billion dollar petrol import and crude export deals.

Credit:PremiumTimes

N2.8 Billion Worth Of Drugs Seized At Lagos Airport- NDLEA

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said that it seized narcotic drugs weighing 455.215 kilogrammes between January and June this year at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said that the drugs, whose street value is estimated at N2.8 billion, was seized alongside US$2.5 million cash.

According to the NDLEA,? 75 suspected drug traffickers and money launderers – 62 males and 13 females – were arrested in connection with the seizures.

“The intercepted money includes $2.1 million dollars seized from a bureau de change operator which had been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation,” the anti-narcotics agency said in the statement issued by Mitchell Ofoyeju, its spokesperson.

“Fifteen (15) arrests were recorded on Emirates airline being the most preferred flight for those apprehended. Qatar airways had eleven (11) arrests, Ethiopian airline followed closely with eight (8) arrests and Etihad airways seven (7) arrests.”

Read More: premiumtimesng

Lagos Airport Police Command Organises Seminar For Officers

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The Commissioner of Police of the Lagos Airport Command, Dorothy Gimba, said officers were being trained in preparation for the security audits by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) coming up in June.

Speaking on Sunday at the seminar, Gimba said that the motive of the workshop was to put the command in order to meet up with the ICAO’s security audit before the due date. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar has as its theme: “Improving the Aviation Industry Through Optimum Development of Her Security Personnel”.

According to Gimba, this was to enable the command meet up with their mandate especially as the nation prepares to face the ICAO audits. She told participants that the seminar was also to provide for exchange of experiences, seek for solutions and to remind all of the emergency plans contiguous to the aviation industry.

Gimba said that each agency was aware of what was expected of it during normal operations and emergencies. She noted that the seminar was meant to upscale the competence of the policemen attached to the aviation sector in carrying out their duties within the sector as the nation prepared for the security audit. She described the seminar as encompassing because it touched on topics like crime prevention, procedure and team building, as tools to accomplish organisational goals. “This seminar is meant to scale up their competence in carrying out their duties within the aviation sector whilst bearing in mind too, the need to prepare for retirement days,” she said.

The airport police command chief explained that retirement plan was incorporated into the seminar because of its prospect in enhancing performance. “The primary aim of this seminar is to scale up the participants competences in carrying out their duties within the aviation sector.

“To further embellish this workshop, the issue of pre-retirement preparations is also of critical importance because of its prospects in enhancing performance,” she said.

Gimba described the sector as “not only a highly specialised sector, but one that is multifaceted. “The sector is a multi agency environment which demands for collaboration and co-operation in order to form a synergy that will ensure seamless operational environment for optimum performance,” she said.

She said it was on the basis of this that Nigeria Police Force thought it as important to sensitise, brush up and update the skills of security personnel in the airport environment, through the workshop. Also speaking, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Carl Onalo, commended the command for organising the seminar.

Onalo assured that at the end of the training, the participants would know what was expected of them at the airports and the assistance they needed. “You know we don’t carry weapons; they are the ones that carry weapons on our behalf,” he said.

The CSO promised to assist the command in the provision of accommodation which had been a major challenge to police in the airport command. According to the CSO, “the need to provide housing and accommodation for the police in the airport had been brought to the knowledge of FAAN’s management by the command. “I can assure you that the authority is doing something about it,” the CSO said.

He said that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would soon commence housing scheme for the police officers at the command. Onalo said that the provision of housing plan for the officers would be duly planned and executed by the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command and the MMIA’s General Manager in the shortest period of time.

He added that the welfare package by FAAN would further boost the morale and welfare of the officers of the command. “I can assure you that in the next few months the scheme would kick start,” Onalo said. He added that FAAN would continue to provide necessary support for improved efficiency and welfare of the Police command at the airports.

Participants at the seminar include: representatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Others are: Aviation Security (AVSEC), Directorate of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS), as well as SAHCOL and NAHCoaviance Plc.

Credit: NAN