FAAN Begins Raid of Touts at Airports Across Nigeria

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is taking action towards getting rid of touting, and extortion at airports.
The managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku expressed zero tolerance for the activities of the touts. She vowed to rid the airports of such illegalities.
She revealed that FAAN will from Monday begin rolling out the new task force set up to go after the perpetrators of the criminal activities for prosecution.
In a memo from the office of the FAAN MD and copied to all directors and airport managers, dated June 21, 2021, titled: ‘Touting/illicit activities at the airports’, the organization attributed its resolve to clamp down on the criminals from today to the increase in the illicit activities at the airports.
According to the memo: “Any individual or organization caught in violation or conducting any such activities which include touting, loitering or illicit activities within the airports will be duly prosecuted and fined according to the FAAN bylaws.”
The task force team which consists of FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the Air Force, is being led by the Director of Special Duties at FAAN, Mr Henry Agbebire as the chairman.
FAAN said it also has plans to engage all government agencies operating at the airports to ensure compliance with the anti-touting and anti-extortion measures.
The agency’s boss also stated that magistrate courts will soon be established at the nation’s international airports to prosecute offenders.
The issue of touting and extortion of air travellers has become a cause for concern among the different stakeholders including passengers, other airport users and the Federal Government given the bad image such illegalities have continued to create for the country.