Aviation security experts have raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerian airports, warning that incidents of intrusion and security breaches may persist unless urgent steps are taken to strengthen infrastructure and surveillance systems.
The warning follows a recent security breach at Akure Airport in Ondo State, where suspects believed to be suppliers to kidnappers gained access to the runway vicinity, sparking fears about vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s aviation security framework.
Stakeholders who spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent said the incident highlights longstanding weaknesses in perimeter protection across several airports, stressing that the situation could worsen if not addressed in line with global standards.
A former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Capt John Ojikutu, noted that many airports in Nigeria still fall short of the security fencing requirements recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
According to him, the absence of proper fencing makes it easier for unauthorised persons to gain access to restricted areas in the airport.
Ojikutu further revealed that an earlier audit had advised the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to compel the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to construct an additional security fence at the Lagos airport, a recommendation he said has yet to be implemented.
He added that the presence of farmers operating within airport premises is not new, recalling similar occurrences around the Lagos airport in the past, stressing that the situation underscores the porous nature of airport boundaries.
He said, “Let me repeat here again that airport security is not only aviation security, but a part of aviation security, which also includes airspace security and in-flight security. All three are assets to national security.
“Perimeter fence is a standard recommended by ICAO in Annex 14, while security fence is recommended in Annex 17.”
Also speaking, aviation professional Mohammed Badamasi stressed that fencing alone is insufficient without modern surveillance systems to monitor activities around airport perimeters.
He said, “However, the provision of a perimeter fence is necessary to restrict those who have no business with the airport and animals. The absence of a perimeter fence increases the insurance premium of an airport.
“There is no other way to secure the airport other than to make a perimeter fence available as soon as possible. It must be backed by CCTV to monitor the fence. NCAA, as the regulator, should be consulted to erect the best perimeter fence.”
Investigations into the Akure incident revealed that the breach occurred when farmers working behind the airport fled toward the runway after spotting armed men on motorcycles believed to be bandits, drawing attention to the area.
The unusual movement reportedly alerted Air Traffic Controllers, who raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from security agencies.
A joint operation involving the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, and the police led to the arrest of the suspects in nearby forest areas.
