FAAN seeks expedited prosecution of illegal operators at Nigerian airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to establish magistrate courts across airports in the country for the swift prosecution of touts.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, revealed this initiative during a meeting with the heads of security agencies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting aimed to update airport stakeholders on recent developments, outline the strategic goals of FAAN’s current management and explore ways to improve passenger experience in addition to operational efficiency.

“We have individuals who have no legitimate reason to be at the airport, yet they consistently create problems for us,” Mrs. Kuku stated. “We’ve established an anti-touting task force and will soon begin onsite prosecutions for anyone involved in these unlawful activities or loitering around the airport, harassing passengers. This level of disorder doesn’t occur in other parts of the world and airports should be a secure environment,” she added.

This development comes in response to increasing incidents of harassment by touts at Nigerian airports. In May 2024, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, assured travelers that touts would be eliminated from the nation’s airports.

In 2022, FAAN apprehended 90 touts across various airports in the country.