FAAN warns on touting at Airport

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration
with security agencies, have intensified effort to clampdown on touting
at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, who stated this in an
interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Friday, warned
unauthorised persons to stay away from the airport or risk jail.

Dunoma said that measures had been put in place to ensure that
everyone operating in the airport stayed within his or her designated
area.

He added that adequate signage had been provided at the old and new
terminals in addition to the security personnel to guide travellers,
adding that no passenger should need assistance from unauthorised
persons.

According to him, some persons have been arrested, investigated and
charged to court in recent time, but we now have a situation where some
unauthorised persons are now fighting back by planting fake stories
about touting.

“We have cowed touting and there are plans in place, and we are
totally in control of touting at the airport because of the grand plan.
We have started implementing it.

“Actually, there is no resurgence of touting rather there is a
reduction in their activities but we now have a situation where touts
are doing their campaign by planting fake stories.

“But, certainly we are winning because we have our own campaign and it is bad business for them already.

“Whatever pictures you are seeing are fake in order to discredit our effort, but we are in control,” he said.

The FAAN boss also warns travellers to ensure that they would only transact
any form of business inside the terminal and not outside to avoid being
extorted.

He explained that the new terminal was well laid out in such a way
that passengers would not have reasons to be confused as to how to move,
adding that there were also information desks where inquiries could be
made easily.

“My message to those touts is that the law will catch up with them
and they will be punished and I want to appeal to passengers also that
they should not encourage anybody to assist them in the airport.

“The new terminal does not require any assistance; it is well laid
out, it is simple and there are signage and there are two information
desks in case you need any information.

“Then, we have FAAN uniform people all over the places that passengers can seek assistance from,” he added.

Also speaking to NAN, Mr Sani Mahmud, Regional General Manager, North
Central, FAAN, said that some persons had been apprehended and
prosecuted by the airport security team in recent time.

Mahmud, who is also Airport Manager, NAIA, said that nine persons had
been apprehended since the beginning of the 2019, adding that they
included hawkers, illegal cab operators and touts.

“Three had their cases transferred; six were minors and were detained and later released, but their items were destroyed.

“We are not taking chances and at the same time, we are aware that
some taxi operators whose monopoly had been broken are peddling
falsehood to discredit FAAN at all cost.

“Security has been beefed up around the airport and we are ready for them,” he said.