Security gaps at our Airports

Before I begin this week’s comment, please allow a small detour. The US, UK and France are an enormous disappointment once it involves the problem of making certain an enduring peace and sturdy security between the Israelis and therefore the Palestinians. What’s a lot of, a lot of the world’s capitals appear to not apprehend what to try and do as several either don't need to offend powerful members of the United Nations Security Council; or are toothless and maybe, indifferent, to the sufferings and deaths that have return to characterize that a part of the planet – a world wherever belligerence and massacre are yearly turning into the norm.

Whether or not a ceasefire is obtained these days or the day once within the geographical region, the crisis can flare up once more and once more till the Europeans and Americans do what's right that is to impose and implement the sole smart, explanation and sensible solution: Grant the Palestinians a whole and freelance state of their own. Nothing else can suffice! And that I mean nothing – unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encompasses a grand illusion.

He knows, or need to have far-famed, that nobody will ever eliminate Palestinian nationalism and resistance. They're too politically acutely aware to just accept any type of exploitation and or social policy. It’ll never happen. Although the Israeli Defence Forces, at the side of the Aman (military intelligence) and international intelligence agency (internal security), and therefore the Mossad are ordered by Netanyahu to exterminate the leadership of terrorist organization, or to have interaction normally racial extermination, the spirit of resistance and insurgence can continue. Whether or not Netanyahu kills off fifty or five thousand terrorist organization and non-Hamas members, the crisis can continue – although sporadically!

In the end, therefore, solely independence and complete autonomy would answer – not diplomatic niceties and guarantees of negotiations and assist which will not cause release or fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians. Nobody and no individuals ought to have to be compelled to place up with humiliation! Thus, the international community ought to reject all proposals that decision for peace talks and road maps while not the facility and therefore the political can to finish the suffering and establishment of country that ought to granted complete autonomy 5 or a lot of decades ago.

Now, back to the subject I had originally meant. Within the last number of years – and particularly since the audacity and fury of Boko Haram became a lot of pronounced and deadly, national security has assumed a replacement dimension and urgency. Whereas several people and therefore the government target the Islamic sect’s bombing sprees, we've got typically unnoted different aspects of our lives one would contemplate weak or soft targets i.e. airports. Inside 2 days of my arrival into the country, I actually have seasoned 3 airports throughout that I discovered some indefensible security breaches.

That the 3 airports – Murtala Muhammed International flying field, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International flying field, Abuja, and therefore the domestic terminal of the MMIA – MEasure} eyesores isn't what issues me the foremost. What bothers American state the foremost are the 2 or a lot of dozen security lapses I witnessed at these airports. I actually have been to and or created use of dozens of airports round the world; however nothing compares to what I witnessed in Lagos and Abuja. These, for lack of a  lot of applicable word, are disasters waiting to happen. And that they positive can happen presently unless after all there are changes created to however our airports are managed and operated.

My major concern here is that the implications of those lapses on our nation’s security. we have a tendency to should not solely defend our sovereignty against domestic and foreign terrorists and criminal entities, we have a tendency to should additionally defend against those that would like or are dead set breaching our borders. Moreover, we have a tendency to should defend ourselves against foreign security and intelligence agencies UN agency spy on U.S. on a day after day. it's not as if Nigeria may be a tough country to spy on, withal, we'd like not create such ventures straightforward for foreign entities. Security, then, should be at the highest of our national priority.

That said, even the perfect of airports round the world have occasional security lapses. which is as a result of no security set up is 100 per cent fail-safe; none is while not loopholes. But, these airports are superb at nisus for the most effective in terms of safety and security. However not thus in Nigeria wherever the safety gaps are as wide because the ocean. Hyperbolism aside, if any Boko Haram insurgent or any determined person wished to, he might walk up to any plane and blow it up. For N5, 000 or less in bribe, weapons of mass destruction may well be contraband unto any plane in any of the airports in question.

Hijacking any variety of planes wouldn’t be a Herculean task for a reasonably well-trained terrorist or criminal. the actual fact is that each one our airports and therefore the planes and their passengers are sitting ducks, straightforward targets. You’ll be astonished at what percentage passengers – or supposed passengers – have unrestricted access to planes. Frankly, I’m shocked that Boko Haram has not targeted our planes; shocked too that its members haven't broken the sides of any of our airports.

In addition to the same, nearly anybody might export into the country any item they wished. So much too several of our immigration and customs officers are simply too willing to appear the opposite method at the sight or promise of Nigerian monetary unit or greenbacks. So much too several of them stand around, lazing around or goofing around or are simply involved with their daily net. (I apprehend I stand the danger of being targeted by governing body at our airports and different borders; withal, it's a value I’m willing to pay.)

It is not uncommon to witness governing body facilitate friends and relatives minify rules and rules at the arrival and departure lounges and terminals. For a little fee, some checkers manning the X-ray machines can overlook prohibited things in your purses, baggage and pockets. The unfortunate reality is that our land borders and seaports are as porous and poorly guarded as our airports. This, therefore, is one space of our national lives one would recommend that the National Security authority, Col. Sambo Dasuki, at the side of different competent authorities, look into.

It is time for our airports and different borders to be strictly tested for security lapses and breaches. Such mock-tests don't seem to be to be used as sacking or vindicatory exercise, however solely as aid to strengthening our national security. Consecutive time you create use of any of our airports, seaports or land borders, please listen to lapses you witness and report your findings to American state.