Terror threat: FG tightens security around Lagos airport

The Federal Government yesterday ordered security to be beefed up at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos following the receipt of intelligence reports of a possible terror attack on international flight going to the United States of America.

American intelligence officials said they picked up indications that bomb makers from Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula have traveled to Syria to link up with the al-Qaida affiliate there to produce a bomb that would go undetected through airport security.

Airline passengers travelling through the local and international wings of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as well as commuters on the airport road were held up for many hours as security agencies frisked vehicles and persons entering the airports as well as the Cargo Terminal at Hajj camp of the airport.

The screening of persons, vehicles and cargo caused heavy traffic in the airport environment forcing hundreds of passengers, especially those going to the international wing of the terminal to trek long distances to the airport to board their flights.

There was the heavy presence of security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, anti-terrorism squad, Nigeria Air Force, the SSS  and others from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria who manned the major entrance to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nacho aviance) area of the airport and screened virtually all the movements into the area.

The gridlock created by the screening affected the smooth running of non-aeronautical operations like banks, canteens, cafeterias, and Bureau de Change at both the domestic and international terminals.                    Aviation remains an attractive target to global terrorists, who are consistently looking for ways to circumvent aviation security measures.

As the extra screening at Nigerian airports continues even as  the United States has also ordered that passengers at some overseas airports that offer direct U.S- bound flights, such as those emanating from Nigeria will now be required to power on their electronic devices in order to board their flights.

According to the US Transportation Security Administration devices that will not power up will not be allowed on planes, and such persons traveling may have to undergo additional screening.

American intelligence officials have been concerned about new al-Qaida efforts fixated on bringing down airplanes with hidden explosives.