The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has engaged the services of “mystery staff” to monitor its staff and personnel of other agencies at the former international airports across the country to curb extortion of air travellers.

Mr. Kabir Mohammed, the Managing Director, FAAN, stated this during the one day sensitization programme on Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Initiative organised by the Directorate of Airport Operations at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMA), Lagos over the weekend.

Mohammed hinted the responsibility of these mystery staff was to take note of the activities of staff at the airports and report the same to management through the identified channels.

Mohammed expressed displeasure at the poor reputation of Lagos airport due to extortion of passengers, warning that anyone caught in such a dastardly act would face disciplinary consequences.

He regretted that travellers are discouraged from flying through the international terminal of the Lagos airport because of extortion.

He further challenged representatives of all the government agencies that operate at the airport like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Quarantine Services, the Nigeria Police and others.

Apart from the ‘mystery staff,’ Mohammed further explained that the agency had installed numerous Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at strategic places to monitor activities at the nation’s airports.

He reiterated that anyone that is caught wanting would be severely sanctioned by the agency.

He further encouraged everyone to improve the reputation of the airport and the country at large by being courteous and respectful to the travelling public, especially at this season.

He canvassed collaboration among agencies and other organisations within the sector.

The ACI ASQ sensitization event was championed by the Directorate of Airport Operations headed by Captain Mukhtar Muye.

The event also had in attendance were top management staff of FAAN, other government agencies and concessionaires operating within the airport. (Daily Independent)