FAAN Raises Alarm Over Dangerous Goods Carried By Air Passengers
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a strong warning to air travellers over the carriage of dangerous and prohibited items onto aircraft, citing recent incidents that have endangered passengers and airport personnel.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos to mark the FAAN Safety Week, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, expressed concern about the increasing number of passengers attempting to board aircraft with hazardous materials.
Kuku noted that differing safety protocols among airlines and airports have complicated the issue, calling for harmonisation of procedures and improved communication between security agencies and airline operators.
“We have seen instances where airport procedures differ slightly from those of airlines. This creates confusion over what qualifies as dangerous goods,” she said. “We immediately directed refresher training for aviation security officers to properly identify and manage such items.”
Kuku revealed that recent incidents at Abuja and Kano airports highlighted the urgency of the problem. In one case, a passenger in Abuja allegedly slapped security personnel after being questioned about a suspicious, acidic substance. Another incident in Kano involved the acceptance of corrosive materials that later caused a safety scare onboard an aircraft.
“These situations are wake-up calls,” she said. “Passengers often don’t understand what constitutes prohibited materials. We must continue sensitisation and align our safety procedures.”
The FAAN boss also disclosed that the authority would remove fuel tankers and vehicles parked indiscriminately around the Lagos airport, describing them as major safety and security risks.
“We have reached out to tanker drivers, limousine parks, and bus operators to vacate the area. Their presence poses serious hazards and makes the airport environment unsightly,” Kuku explained, adding that a joint clean-up exercise with the Lagos State Government and security agencies would soon commence.
This year’s FAAN Safety Week, themed “Navigating Conflicts for a Safer Aviation Industry in Nigeria,” focuses on conflict management, emotional intelligence, and teamwork among aviation professionals.
“Aviation safety goes beyond technology,” Kuku said. “Human factors—communication, trust, and teamwork—are crucial. When conflicts arise, safety can be compromised.”
She added that FAAN is intensifying training and awareness programmes for all security agencies operating at airports to promote coordination and de-escalate tensions during passenger screening.
“By equipping our workforce with the right skills, we are building a safer and more resilient aviation industry,” she said.
