Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has clarified that private airstrips in Nigeria cannot be used without thorough security checks.
Keyamo made this assertion on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Sunday.
According to Keyamo, there are over 40 private airstrips in the country, and all of them are subject to security checks.
“We have for the federal airports, we have 23, and then the state airport is about eight or nine now,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that it is impossible to fly in or out of Nigeria without proper checks by airport officials.
“You must land in an international airport first and then the customs, immigration and NDLEA will process you and you will take off from there to your private airstrip,” Keyamo explained.
Keyamo also stated that the same process applies to flying out of the country.
“If you’re also flying out, you must fly out and land at an international airport first. You go through customs, immigration and the normal process and then fly out.”
This clarification comes amidst concerns about external military operations happening in Nigeria without the notice of the Nigerian government.
Keyamo’s disclosure also follows his plans to appoint voluntary special airport marshals to monitor staff conduct, evaluate airport cleanliness, and assess general conditions.
