ISIS threat: Immigration increases passengers’ screening, profiling at Lagos airport

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has increased the level of screening and profiling of air travellers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos following the recent threat by the outlawed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

ISIS some few weeks ago had threatened to attack commercial aircraft in Nigeria, a threat the Nigerian security agencies are not taking with levity.

It was gathered that Mr. Muhammed Babandele, the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) gave this directive to the officials of the Lagos Command earlier in the week.

At the Lagos Airport, officials of the service were seen doubling their efforts to ensure that travellers without cogent reasons of travelling in or out of the country were barred from going in or moving out.

Lagos Airport is the busiest in West Africa with over 40 per cent of total passenger movements in 2017.

It was observed that E-arrival and D-arrival points at the international wing of the airport had witnessed increased surveillance by the immigration officials.

A source in Lagos said: “Screening of passengers especially those coming in and the ones going out is a veritable counter-terrorism strategy and the Immigration High Command has given the Lagos airport command a marching order to redouble its activities.”

An official of the Lagos Airport command who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity confirmed that in line with the CGI’s directive, the command had improved on the immigration process of arriving and departing passengers.

“We have put more eyes on passenger clearance and all officers have been briefed to be more alert and meticulous in the discharge of their duty at the airport given that Lagos airport is the busiest entry and exit points in the country”, said the source.

The officer however assured passengers of adequate security at the airport while advising them to always cooperate with officers and men of the service.

Mr. Sunday James, the service Public Relations Officer when contacted confirmed the development.

James, however, said that travellers without skeletons in their cupboards need not fear, but assured that the service would continue to ensure total safety to air travellers at all the international gateways across the country

He said, “As far as we are concerned, the country is secure based on the measures taken by the Federal Government. As at now, we don’t have any fear of anything because the government has taken key measures both at the airports, land and sea ports and immigration is not an exception since we are a member of the security community.”