By Wisdom Patrick, Lagos

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of its proposed new security structure at the nation’s Airports with the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, directing operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to stay off all the nation’s international airports.

This order which according to our source was communicated a few weeks ago ,came as a shock to the SSS leadership.

Some of the  affected international airports include; the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; the Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

It was further gathered that the directive by the ministry, which is headed by Ms Stella Oduah, might affect the ability of the SSS to perform its duties of preventing, detecting, and investigating threats of espionage, subversion, sabotage and terrorist activities, especially at the airports.

A top security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no particular reason was given for the order.

He said, “We are taking every step to end terrorism in the country by scaling up our intelligence networks and tightening security at all borders and airports, but the aviation ministry, rather than complementing our efforts, is exposing the nation to more risks by withdrawing SSS personnel from all international airports for reasons best known to it.”

Political Economist had penultimate week reported exclusively that visitors to the Nigerian Airports across the country, shall, beginning from February 1st, have fresh and stiffer security hurdles to battle with, after the Federal Government  approved new stringent  security measures at the airports.

Political Economist gathered exclusively from a member of the Airport security committee, that henceforth, vehicles, no matter it occupants will never be allowed to get 10 meters close to the undesignated areas in and around the airports.

This is against the present arrangement, where some government officials or top politicians are driven or escorted by their aides almost to the tarmac of the Airports.

Similarly, unauthorized security operatives, “even if such an operative is an orderly to senior Military, Police or Political office holders, shall not be allowed to go with his or her boss beyond the ticketing hall.”

It was also gathered that both American, Chinese and British governments have donated modern passenger screening equipment to the authority of the airport, to assist in the newly introduced 100 per cent security screening of both passengers and baggage.

The source also disclosed that, the new security arrangement has provided operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) unrestrained access to every area of the airport and can also effect arrest of suspects anywhere in and around the airport.

“The number of cash expected to be taken out by anybody has also been cut down to a reasonable figure of $15,000. I must state this clearly, that no two family members is allowed to travel at the same time with this amount of cash permitted,” the source said.

It was also gathered that corporate organization or business people would need certificate of clearance from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NIFIU), a department under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before they would be allowed  to travel with their money.

The Airport security committee comprises the Commissioner of Police (CP) Airport command, Commander of NDLEA, representatives of Immigration service, Customs, DSS, Chief Security Officer of the FAAN and representative of the Nigerian Air force.