The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that agencies engaged in extortion and begging at Nigeria’s airports are beyond the ministry’s control.
Keyamo stated this in a post on X on Sunday, that he has been working with other ministers responsible for these agencies to find a solution to curb the problem.
The minister’s statement came in response to numerous complaints from travelers about these activities.
“I have received several complaints about the menace of begging and extortion at our International airports by a few unscrupulous persons who give all of us a bad image,” Keyamo said.
“My phones are beeping every minute with messages about this from well-meaning Nigerians.
“Just to set the records straight, most of the agencies involved in this menace are not under the control of the aviation ministry, though they are stationed at our airports.
“However, I have been working closely with other ministers, arms of government and agencies who are responsible for these agencies and a solution is in sight soon,” he stated.
He said that the ministry is collaborating with the National Security Adviser on this issue and will soon announce practical steps to “stem this ugly tide.”
The problem of begging and extortion in airports has recently become a major concern for the Federal Government.
On June 14, 2024, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria issued a warning to airport users against offering bribes and encouraging extortion.
The agency stated that any staff or government agency operating at the airports found guilty of accepting bribes would face punishment.
They also announced the launch of a task force to eliminate touting, extortion, and other illicit activities at airports nationwide.
The authority stated that the task force has been assigned the responsibility of enforcing discipline among airport staff and fostering a culture of professionalism at all levels.
