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Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has issued a clarification regarding the role of the Department of State Services (DSS) at airports, specifically their involvement in passenger bag checks. Speaking during an interview on This Morning on Arise News, Keyamo explained that the DSS is not responsible for searching passengers’ bags, as some may have assumed. Instead, he emphasized that their role is to profile passengers who may be under security scrutiny.
Keyamo addressed the confusion surrounding the inspection process at Nigerian airports, particularly Lagos International Airport. He explained that passengers are initially screened through a machine upon arrival, followed by their bags being checked at a joint inspection table. “The stories I would hear about myself were even worse. Imagine being okay with negative stories about you, masking something that you thought was going to be an embarrassment. It was very hard for me, but I did it through the grace of God,” Keyamo revealed, highlighting the complexities of the system.
He pointed out that the practice of having multiple security agencies, such as customs, DSS, NDLEA, and quarantine, all conduct checks at the same inspection tables often leads to significant congestion at airports. This not only creates blockages but also extends delays at entrance gates. In response, Keyamo shared that the ministry has dismantled these joint inspection tables to improve the process and reduce congestion. “We have now made arrangements for agencies to collaborate with aviation security to conduct more streamlined and efficient searches,” he said
The minister further clarified the roles of various security agencies at the airport, particularly the DSS. “DSS should not be searching people’s bags. Their role is to profile individuals who may be under security scrutiny. They should work alongside immigration officials, not interfere in the screening process,” Keyamo stated. He emphasized that profiling should be the primary responsibility of the DSS, not physical bag checks, which are handled by other agencies.
Keyamo also explained that when security personnel identify suspicious items during the initial screening, passengers should be discreetly pulled aside for private searches rather than being subjected to public searches at the inspection tables. This approach, he believes, would preserve the dignity of passengers while still ensuring the necessary security protocols are followed.
The minister touched on the broader issue of passenger harassment at airports, acknowledging the challenges faced by travelers due to the overwhelming presence of multiple agencies. While security is crucial, Keyamo emphasized that the government’s goal is to streamline the process to reduce corruption, extortion, and delays, ultimately improving the passenger experience.
Concluding his remarks, Keyamo made it clear that the federal government is not removing security agencies from airports but rather seeks to ensure that they operate according to international best practices. “We are not removing security agencies, but we want to ensure they follow best practices in line with international standards to improve the passenger experience,” he said.
