Security
Another Aviation Milestone Achieved as First Set of Armed AVSEC Personnel Graduate
The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded another milestone in the aviation industry, with the passing out of the first set of arms-bearing Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel on Friday.
Describing the achievement as unprecedented in the promotion of national security, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika noted that he was sure that all the graduands received the best training and are well equipped with the morals, the discipline and values that are expected from the training they received.
Advising the newly graduated armed security personnel at a ceremony in Abuja, the Minister said, “This should come to you as a clarion call to work within the precepts of the training. This training that you have received is expected to commit you to the level of dedication that is expected in ensuring that the nation of Nigeria will not only be proud but also reap the benefits of this well-organised training”.
The minister recalled the Turkish Airline incident in 2016 where some aggrieved passengers overpowered AVSEC officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and gained access to the tarmac.
Sirika also cited an incidence at the Sokoto Airport where some political supporters forcefully entered the tarmac, stressing that these actions were clear security breaches which would have been prevented by the AVSEC personnel if they were armed.
He assured the personnel that uniforms, armoury and other things that would enable them to discharge their responsibilities of securing and safeguarding airline officials, passengers and other airport users have been made available.
He warned that the aim, intention, training or the purpose of the arms was not to harass or intimidate innocent airport users, but to protect them, and that no misdemeanour on their part would be taken lightly. The civility of civil aviation, he said, must be upheld at all cost.
“In acceptance to be trained as aviation security personnel, you must realize that it is a privilege to serve your country at this level as the aviation industry is one place where adherence and commitment to rules and standards are applied strictly to the letter.”
The Minister also warned that the government will not tolerate conflicts with other security operatives at the airports and that what is required is collaboration and synergy between them for the safety and security of airport users and infrastructure.
“For us, our focus as a government has been to ensure that we are secure and safe at our airports. Aviation is not just about building terminals because safety is one of the most critical aspects,” Sirika noted.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of the sector, with particular focus on safety and security, which has culminated in the realisation of the project and other legacy achievements in the industry.
The development was made known at a workshop focused on gender mainstreaming in efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuja.
The workshop was organized by the NCCSALW. Ribadu, represented by the Director of External Affairs from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Amb. Ibrahim Babani, described the president’s assent as a crucial step in the government’s fight against the illegal proliferation of arms.
He noted that this legislative backing would solidify the centre’s authority and facilitate more coordinated efforts to tackle the issue.
Ribadu also emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in addressing the arms control problem, citing key international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
This resolution underscored the need to protect women from the impacts of conflict and ensure their active participation in peacebuilding and security initiatives.
AIG (rtd) Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser
He also referenced the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which highlights regional cooperation in stopping the spread of weapons that disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.
“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons cannot be overstated,” Ribadu said. “It strengthens our strategies and ensures our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable.”
Speaking at the workshop, the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Johnson Kokumo, detailed the centre’s recent efforts in combating illegal arms proliferation.
Kokumo mentioned that the centre recently retrieved a substantial cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service and arrested 10 suspects involved in illicit importation. These suspects are currently being prosecuted for offenses that include the illegal importation of 544 firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition, in violation of Nigerian law.
Kokumo further revealed that the centre has retrieved 3,383 decommissioned and illicit small arms, along with 26,749 rounds of ammunition, from various government agencies. He also announced plans for an Arms Destruction Exercise later this quarter to ensure that recovered arms are permanently removed from circulation.
Highlighting the global implications of small arms proliferation, Kokumo said, “The control of small arms and light weapons is not only a national concern but also a matter of international importance.” He added that addressing this issue through a gender-sensitive approach is both a moral imperative and a strategic move, considering the grave impact of armed conflict on women and children.
“This workshop is a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into national and regional strategies for small arms and light weapons control,” he stated.
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