The Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, has charged the new Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, with bringing to an end the incessant cases of stowaways at the airports.

Usman, according to a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, said this while receiving the new Police commissioner at his Aviation House office in Lagos.

At the meeting, the DG expressed serious concern over the security challenges at the airports, especially cases of stowaways getting unto aircraft, crowd control and touting at the terminals.

He charged Lakanu to deploy the entire arsenal at his disposal to curb these menaces that were capable of creating negative impression on the safety of the industry.

Usman added that security and safety were the hallmark of the global aviation industry and should, therefore, not be compromised.

He further stated that this had become more important as Nigeria was preparing for the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s security audit very soon.

He reiterated the need for NCAA and the Airport Police Command to work together to ensure impregnable security network within and around the airports.

“As far as ICAO is concerned, Nigeria is to be audited and we are expected to meet the ICAO standard and recommended practices,” he noted.

The DG called for continuous surveillance of the movement of passengers at the ramp and promised to ensure the provision of CCTV cameras, patrol vans and other security equipment to assist in eliminating touting and insecurity around the airport.