FG Tightens Airport Security Amids Fears Of ISIS Attack

Security Beefed Up Across The Nation’s Airports

The federal government has implemented stricter passenger screening and other tougher security measures for all commercial flights across airports in Nigeria following threats of renewed attacks linked to the deadly Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Naija News understands that  the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) alerted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) through a May 25 memo.

“Although Africa appears not to be on ISIS immediate focus, the return to Africa of former ISIS fighters from Iraq and Syria, as well as the existence of ISIS-linked groups, such as the technically-suave Abu Musab Al-Barnawi-led Boko Haram faction, calls for increased vigilance in the aviation sector to counter possible new strategies in the ISIS terror campaign,” the May 25 memo said.

Naija News learnt Abu Hassan Al-Muhajir, a spokesperson for ISIS, said in the April 22 message that ISIS was plotting to “bring bloodshed to the skies”

The NCS also  responded to the alert by directing all commands and federal operating units to “intensify the screening process of all passengers and luggage” and take other measures necessary “to forestall any potential security breach,” according to a June 13 directive seen by PREMIUM TIMES.