Security Concerns Rise at Nigeria's Oldest Airport: Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), located in Kano, holds the distinction of being the oldest airport in Nigeria, with operations commencing back in 1936. It serves as the primary aerodrome for northern Nigeria and is notable for being one of the few airports in the country equipped with two runways. In contrast, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, the second busiest airport after Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), has only a single runway.
Recent statistics from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) reveal that MAKIA experienced a combined air traffic rate of just 4% in 2023. The breakdown of this traffic indicates that the domestic terminal accounted for a total of 8,706 movements, while the international terminal recorded 2,427 movements during the same period. Despite its historical significance and operational capacity, MAKIA is plagued by numerous challenges, particularly concerning security. The airport has been the site of various insider threats and security breaches. A notable incident occurred in 2019, when drugs were illicitly planted in the check-in luggage of a female passenger named Zainab Aliyu.
While traveling with her mother, Zainab was detained in Saudi Arabia for over four months after Tramadol, a banned substance, was discovered in her bag. She asserted that the drugs were planted by unidentified individuals. Following an investigation and diplomatic engagement by the Federal Government, she was released. Zainab, who was a student at Maitama Sule University in Kano at the time, now works with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Although the Federal Government investigated the incident and identified the actual perpetrators, the findings of that investigation have never been publicly disclosed. Moreover, MAKIA has gained notoriety for being a hotspot for drug trafficking, with NDLEA officials frequently announcing the arrests of drug couriers attempting to use the airport.
The airport also faces challenges with bird strikes, impacting several local and international airlines that operate there. In a recent incident, the airport experienced a security breach when a "strange man" was discovered inside an aircraft parked at the apron. Reports indicate that the aircraft, belonging to Rano Airlines, had been left overnight for a morning flight to Lagos. When the crew returned the next day, they were surprised to find a man inside the airplane's toilet. It took the intervention of Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the police anti-bomb squad to apprehend the suspect, causing a delay of over two hours for the Lagos-bound flight. Alarmingly, sources revealed that the same individual had been arrested for a similar offense approximately six months prior. An insider familiar with the airport's operations raised concerns about the potential for further security breaches, citing the airport's porous nature. They noted that AVSEC officials and other security personnel often operate below industry standards, with many focusing on trivial matters instead of critical security protocols. According to this source, upon entering the terminal just a week ago, they observed a lack of personnel at essential checkpoints, with only one individual handling the scanner and no one monitoring the metal detectors. The source criticized the passive approach of AVSEC, mentioning that while they checked boarding passes, they failed to ask for matching identification cards.
The boarding process was described as chaotic, highlighting the urgent need for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to address these issues. Another industry source, who preferred to remain anonymous, echoed these concerns, warning that such security lapses could hinder Nigeria's performance in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) security audit. These incidents are reportedly documented and escalated to the highest levels of civil aviation authorities, especially when they involve international airlines. It is imperative that FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) enhance their vigilance and improve security measures at Kano airport to ensure that the recent advancements in the aviation sector are not compromised.
