•••We are watching developments, says NCAA

•••How Nigeria is neck-deep in crisis, by expert

Tougher security screening may be awaiting Nigerians who are planning to visit the United States (U.S.) and other European countries in the wake of the escalated face-off between America and Iran.

Aviation security experts said the measure would now be necessary with the suspicious Wednesday’s Boeing plane crash in Iran.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday said they were watching the developments closely and would react as appropriate in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

Though there are no direct flights between Nigeria, Iraq or Iran, there are Nigerian passengers travelling on airlines that are directly connected to the crisis, and a source of concern for industry watchers.

Aviation security consultant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) yesterday said Nigeria should be worried about flights going directly to the U.S. and possibly to some European countries, especially the United Kingdom (UK), the same way the airlines from these countries would be concerned about all passengers they carry from Nigeria.

“Security screenings of passengers and their carry-on luggage and the hold baggage would now be enhanced than ever before. These countries would come out with security directives for their airports, their airlines and to countries into which their airlines operate. I won’t be too surprised if the USA TSA audit of last week is not unconnected to the incident of Friday in lraq between the U.S. and Iran,” Ojikutu said.

As at yesterday, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called on the national air operators to evaluate flightpath risks that may affect aviation operations.

The GCAA said that it continued to monitor and assess regional developments, and would promptly take all necessary and appropriate measures.

The aviation regulator’s statement came after several airlines cancelled Iran and Iraq flights and re-routed others away from both countries’ airspace after Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. killing of an Iranian general, raising the stakes in its conflict with Washington amid concern of a wider war in the Middle East.

Ojikutu said more stringent measures and directives should be expected, as he urged the local authorities to also be proactive.

“Unfortunately, the meeting the President had yesterday (Wednesday) on the Iran/U.S. matter was on the economic benefit and included those responsible for oil marketing mainly. The police inspector general had taken some actions internally but forgot that the aviation is always on top of the list of targets of terrorists.

“I would have loved to see the integration of the intelligence from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Directorate of State Services (DSS), police, Immigration and the NCAA, so each can get the tactical intelligence for its operations,” he said.

A cybersecurity expert, Abdul-Ganiyu Ojuolape, agreed on the expected fall-out, given the affiliation of some Nigerians to the Shiite sects.

“I saw it coming, and unfortunately, we have to brace up for the worst. Ordinarily, we should not have been bothered but we are already neck-deep in support of the Iranians with the rally recently held in Abuja against the U.S. killing of the Iranian general. It is already a leeway for the U.S. to label all Nigerians as potential terrorists. We should expect more reactions as the matter unfolds,” Ojuolape said.

According to analysts, changed flight plans are expected to inconvenience as many as 15,000 passengers per day, lengthen flight times by an average of 30 to 90 minutes and severely bruise the aviation industry’s bottom line.

At least 500 commercial flights travel through Iranian and Iraqi airspaces daily, Dubai-based aviation consult, Mark Martin, said.

Iran is facing mounting pressure to explain the destruction of a civilian airliner near Tehran hours after Iranian forces launched missile strikes against U.S. forces.


Three Britons were among 176 people killed when a Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737 plunged into a nosedive and exploded shortly after take-off from Tehran’s Imam Ayatollah Khomeini International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Iran dismissed speculation that the aircraft was downed by a missile but said it would not hand over the black boxes from the planes to Boeing, in an unusual move likely prompted by high tensions with the United States.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is studying the situation, a spokeswoman said. Airlines have taken more steps to avoid flying over conflict zones since 2014, when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was downed by a missile fired from Ukraine, killing 298 people. But re-routing increases flight times and burns extra fuel.

Australia’s Qantas Airways said on Wednesday it would add 50 minutes to its Perth-London flight time and cut passenger numbers to carry more fuel as it re-routes around Iran and Iraq.

The FAA had already prohibited U.S. carriers from Iranian airspace and flying below 26,000 feet over Iraq after Iran shot down a high-altitude U.S. drone last June.

Lufthansa has stopped flying over Iran and Iraq and cancelled its daily service to Tehran as well as the next scheduled flight to Erbil, Iraq, the airline said on Wednesday.

Air France-KLM, which halted flights to the Iranian capital in 2018, said it was also suspending flights through Iranian and Iraqi airspaces “as a precautionary measure.”

British Airways said a small number of its flights would be affected by re-routing, without elaborating. Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines Ltd, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada and Taiwan’s China Airlines were also among carriers that re-routed flights.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/tougher-screening-awaits-nigerian-travellers-over-u-s-iran-face-off/

Oya make una dey do analysis like say we be us or Iran. Well if no be the mumu set of people wey dey support either side

One or more countries will be affected one way or the other. This is a clear example.

It gets tougher for Nigeria each day .. Nigeria will likely bear the brunt . That's why I pity those that canvass for war it ain't got any good side for any party involve and their allies too.
Check profile for Smart TVs and electronics

What those idiots up north cause us.

Good for nothing head slammers and terrorists.

Having an idiot and a terrorist as a president...

Ok

Just imagine the revenue Iran is loosing as all the major airlines are re-routing.

Ok

Donald Trump says the US is safer now that Qasem Soleimani has been killed but it seems they are all sleeping with one eye open nowadays.
One funny thing about this issue is how US government representatives mention Donald Trump's name twice in every sentence when talking about the issue. You will hear some like "the drone strike which was ordered by President Trump was and act of self defence by President Trump to prevent the loss of American lives. This act by our commander in chief President Donald Trump has bla bla bla...

PS: To like or adore Donald Trump, you must have a great amount of hatred towards certain people based on religion, race, etc. If you were wondering why he has many supporters in Nigeria, you got your answer there - Children of hate plenty for here. People with rational mind don't really give a fvck about that nigga

I knew it would come to this.

Sey wetin nah... Make dem no bring nonsense ooo. Was I the one that killed Soleimani or bombed an empty US military base in Iraq??

Nigeria is a crazy place aswear

Make Us and Iran nor use their own worry us. We already have enough problems facing us at home .

Nigeria is not an Islamic state

How does their face-off affect us? Damn!

Good step but dont be bias in your line of duty..

how

Ripple effect

Osetigo

Can someone explain to me.

What is the meaning of Tougher Screening?


Cus I don’t get it

500vastabilizer:
How does their face-off affect us? Damn!

Nigeria is one crazy country. You have Igbos supporting Trump and the Shiite muslims up north supporting Iran.

Double wahala

Every time, they are watching closely and would really at the appropriate time. Nigeria is still very far from development and would require a digital leader to lead this country to the promise land.

Isn't their screening already tough? How tough can it get?

dre11:
A cybersecurity expert, Abdul-Ganiyu Ojuolape, agreed on the expected fall-out, given the affiliation of some Nigerians to the Shiite sects.

“I saw it coming, and unfortunately, we have to brace up for the worst. Ordinarily, we should not have been bothered but we are already neck-deep in support of the Iranians with the rally recently held in Abuja against the U.S. killing of the Iranian general. It is already a leeway for the U.S. to label all Nigerians as potential terrorists. We should expect more reactions as the matter unfolds,” Ojuolape said.

Must we stay together with these almajiri-breeders who want to remain forever primitive and backward yet control our national destiny through their local terrorism using Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram fighters?
How do we break free from these terrorists?

PHOTOS: Shi’ites protest Iranian general’s killing in Abuja





Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria on Monday protested the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and his aides in a drone airstrike by the United States.

The Shi’ites burned American flags at the Banex, Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The angry protesters chanted hate songs and slogans such as ‘Death To America,’ as they condemned the US action.

https://punchng.com/photos-shiites-protest-iranian-generals-killing-in-abuja/

www.nairaland.com/attachments/10060234_operasnapshot20190807145115www_legit_ng_png336689d8c0ee038dcc69b84c197c8e36


www.nairaland.com/attachments/10297990_fulaniherdsmen13_pngb570ae89dff26ca3982273813b299839

It has always been tough.
Anyone who possesses the Nigerian passport is seen as a suspected terrorist until proven otherwise.

Wow

SenecaTheYonger:
Isn't their screening already tough? How tough can it get?

It would be like fitting a building inside a virgin's ass.

As long as anyone isn't provoked to cause mayhem, anything they like, let them do.
I only have business with ABC transport for now.