FAAN Launches ‘Operation AirClean’ to Eliminate Touting, Passenger Harassment at Lagos Airport
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has unveiled a bold initiative, ‘Operation AirClean,’ aimed at eradicating touting, extortion, and harassment of passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
In a strategic meeting held on 2 December 2024 with the heads of all security agencies operating at the airport, Mrs Kuku declared a zero-tolerance stance on unpatriotic practices and inefficiencies that tarnish Nigeria’s airport operations.
She stressed that her administration had the full support of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, in implementing reforms to ensure a safer and more seamless travel experience.
Actionable Measures for Reform
Mrs Kuku announced the immediate dismantling of manual search tables at screening points, directing the integration of advanced technology to streamline processes and reduce passenger inconvenience.
She called for enhanced collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies, stating that accountability and transparency would be the bedrock of the operation.
To monitor compliance and service delivery, FAAN will deploy mystery shoppers equipped with body cameras at both arrival and departure areas.
Any officer found engaging in misconduct will face swift disciplinary action, with cases reported directly to their agency heads.
Additionally, designated waiting areas for visitors will be established to minimise crowding, and mobile courts will be set up to prosecute offenders promptly.
Representatives from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Quarantine Services, Nigerian Police Force, Directorate of State Security Services, Nigerian Customs Service, and Aviation Security Services pledged their full cooperation.
They committed to heightened oversight of their personnel, ensuring professionalism and decorum in their interactions with passengers.
The meeting was highly participatory, with agency heads presenting actionable recommendations to enhance service delivery and eradicate misconduct.
Mrs Kuku affirmed that FAAN directors would take an active role in overseeing operations, while existing task forces would intensify their activities. “This is a collective effort, and it is no longer business as usual,” she declared.
She further stated that the operation’s success would depend on strict adherence to new protocols and a shared commitment to restoring the airport’s reputation as a hub of excellence.
The launch of ‘Operation AirClean’ marks a step in FAAN’s mission to provide passengers with a dignified travel experience while rooting out practices that undermine confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
