* Source : News Express Nigeria
…We Did Not Assault Any FAAN Official-DSS
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has alleged that the Head of the Department of State Security (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport(NAA) in Abuja, stopped and slapped an Aviation Security(AVSEC) officer from further conducting search on a visitor, who walked through the metal detector activating the alarm
FAAN in its verifiable twitter handle on Tuesday said Abba also slapped the AVSEC officer who had asked the former not to obstruct airport security procedure by preventing a further search of the visitor.
The Tweet titled, “Breach of Security Procedure and Assault on AVSEC Officer by Head of DSS at the International Terminal of NAIA Abuja read, “We not with dismay that Safiyanu Abba, the head of DSS at NAIA deliberately obstructed airport security process, and slapped an aviation security officer who was performing his duty by calling on Safiyanu Abba to desist from doing so
“This happened on July 17 at about 15:25 hours. He breached security procedure by obstructing further searching of a visitor who had just walked through the metal detector and activated the alarm.”
FAAN condemned the DSS action describing it as abuse of power and the security process in our airport, adding that it has also been duly escalated.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied that one of its officers assaulted an official of FAAN, who tried to caution him against breaching laid down COVID-19 protocols.
Spokesman for the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya in a statement denied that any FAAN official was assaulted.
“The attention of the DSS has been drawn to the official release by FAAN that its staff was assaulted by the DSS Head of Formation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. “So far, it has not been established that any FAAN staff was assaulted.
“DSS personnel are well mannered and could not have slapped or fought a worker of another agency.
“The news, as reported by sections of the media, has left an impression that is not factual and should, therefore, be disregarded. “For the record, no DSS staff fought or engaged in any acts prejudicial to discipline or inimical to public safety at the Airport under reference.
” In line with its statutory duties, the Service recognizes the Airports as one of the country’s most important assets and has remained at the forefront of protecting them and other critical ones. It takes their security seriously and cannot breach it.
“As a strategic partner, the Service holds FAAN and its staff in good esteem. Both agencies have, over time, enjoyed a robust working relationship in the areas of training and exchange programmes.
“For these reasons, the DSS will not join issues with it. It is believed that there are other avenues than the social media to resolve any misunderstanding among the staff of two agencies that have had a long history of the unity of purpose in the execution of their mandates.
” It should be noted that the Service and the DGSS place premium on the effective interagency collaboration needed to achieve positive outcomes for good of the nation and citizens.
“The travelling public is urged to go about their normal businesses as the Service, in conjunction with relevant authorities including FAAN, is committed to their safety,” the Spokesman said.
Recalled that former Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, allegedly pushed an airport official, who was trying to disinfect his (Yari) luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport on July 11.
As if the was not enough, on July 14, 2020, the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in company of eight other passengers bluntly refused to observe the airport security and port health protocols on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport(PHIA), Port Harcourt .
