The federal government has
ordered an intensified screening of passengers and luggage on news that the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is planning to attack commercial flights.
This was made known in a letter
sent from the office of the secretary-general of the federation to the
director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the managing
director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the comptroller
general of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Available reports reveals that
Al-Abd al-Faqir media, a pro-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) media
outlet, on April 26, 2018, warned that ISIS plans to attack commercial fights
and bring “bloodshed to the skies”,” the letter referenced H.150/S.91/56 and
dated May 25, 2018 read.
“The warning, which was issued in
English, French and Arabic was distributed by Telegram and other online fora
and was accompanied by an image of a clean-shaven dark-haired white man sitting
on the aisle seat of a flight with a knife in his hand.”
“The ISIS appears to be
re-strategizing with more focus on the Middle East and Asia, following the loss
of most of its territory in Iraq and Syria.
“Although Africa appears not to
be on ISIS immediate focus, the return to Africa of former ISIS fighters from
Iraq and Syria as well as the existence of ISIS-linked groups such as the
technically suave Abu Musab Al-Barnawi-led Boko Haram faction calls for
increased vigilance in the aviation sector, to counter possible new strategies
in the ISIS terror campaign.
“From the foregoing report,
rigorous vetting of airline personnel and screening of passengers as well as
increased vigilance on restricted areas at airports are advised.”
Checks showed that
the normal screening is still ongoing at the Muritala Muhammed International
Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com