Alexgeneration:
With them bearing arms now, the level of extortion will increase geometrically.



I pity anybody that will refuse to drop something for the boys now that the boys have been "empowered".

deavicky:
All in the name to stop Atiku but they will not succeed.

Trizzi:
The Federal Government has approved the bearing of arms by personnel of Aviation Security (AVSEC) to enhance the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and the approval has secured the support of the Aviation Round Table Safety Initiative (ART).

President of ART, Gbenga Olowo, who spoke in Lagos said that the primary objective of AVSEC was the protection and safety of passengers, crew, ground personnel, aircraft and facilities serving the civil aviation.

Not too long ago, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika announced that the AVSEC officials at the airports would start bearing arms within the next three months. He, however, noted that the participation of other security agencies in the sector for the same purposes was inevitable.

Olowo said: “consequent to this approval, we strongly advise a review of the airport security architecture to cover elements of the various security agencies which will now form the new organogram. This will eliminate inter agency rivalry, foster cooperation, provide common platform to asses measure of effectiveness, process operational effectiveness and after action plans.’’

He further advised the government to ensure that selected personnel to bear arms were properly trained and tested in rudiment areas of arms handling, standard armoury and trained armourer for safe keeping of ammunition.

According to him, necessary procedure for issuance, retrieval and accountability of expended rounds if necessary, should also be put in place.


https://www.mediahelm.com.ng/2018/11/fg-approves-aviation-security-personnel.html

truthstands20:

You just said it all. They have failed woefully already. This APC government is a big shame. They can disgrace themselves all because if fighting one man Atiku. They are very scared of Atiku indeed.

Racoon:
Guess this is a hangover from the Atiku Dubai-Airport frenzy still disturbing the APC? For God's sake, there are already a lots of armed personnel in our airports as virtually all of them are well represented.

So of what use is this sudden panicky arming of the AVSEC? What have warranted this action when other sister agencies are always on ground and how will the govt.go about the budgetary provision to sustain this new outfit?

Have these personnel been well trained in weapon handling? Guess this will not add to the already tensed inter-agency rivalry hence more risk of armed conflicts among the security agencies in our airports?

Meanwhile, have this action been approved by the NASS or It's another executive fiat/order again The cluelessness of the APC regime is legendary.

Reference:
Please, small calibre weapons preferrably side arms only and certainly not the infamous assault rifles we hopelessly and tragically have a penchant for.... and the reasons are simple. Most airports anywhere in the world are crowded and potential shootouts of any kind will have catastrophic collateral damage. Secondly, these days courtesy of modern designs aprons are closer to the terminal buildings with aircraft just a few feet away. That is tons and tons of highly flammable aviation fuel awaiting an accidental discharge that could kill hundreds, wipe out the airport and destroy equipment worth billions in one fell swoop..... or just as bad... a passenger aircraft taking off with a hitherto undetected bullet hole...

This is a completely different, far higher level of risk. Government has to be extra sure about this decision and make sure the right personnel is deployed with the right training and the right equipment. My two cents.

GavelSlam:


Good points.

However, for any international traveller, be it Heathrow, Schiphol or JFK, you would often find armed security personnel protecting the length and breadth of the airports.

We need not act as if this is revolutionary or against global best practice.