'Airport extortion beyond aviation ministry’s control' - Keyamo discloses

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the issue of extortion of passengers by officials of government agencies at airports in the country is a phenomenon the ministry is unable to control.

Keyamo, made this known in a post on X on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

According to him, the aviation ministry is working around the clock to discover a lasting solution to the problem.

Keyamo’s statement came in response to several complaints by travellers over alleged extortion by officials at the airport.

“I have received several complaints about the menace of begging and extortion at our International airports by a few unscrupulous persons who give all of us a bad image.

“My phones are beeping every minute with messages about this from well-meaning Nigerians. Just to set the records straight, most of the agencies involved in this menace are not under the control of the aviation ministry, though they are stationed at our airports.

“However, I have been working closely with other ministers, arms of government and agencies who are responsible for these agencies and a solution is in sight soon.”

He added that the ministry was collaborating with the National Security Adviser on the issue, and that he would soon announce practical steps to “stem this ugly tide.”