In a statement following a strategic security meeting at Force Headquarters on Tuesday, the police said the measure was part of efforts to avert security breaches and the need to protect critical infrastructure, travellers, aircrew, airport staff and personnel at the nation’s airports.
The Police Authorities directed the Airport Command Commissioners of Police and Commissioners of Police in states hosting the airports to ensure that, in line with international best practices, firm security measures are taken to safeguard the airports and their critical infrastructure and to prevent a situation where the airports are turned into places of political assemblies, religious worship and other social receptions, as there are enough civic centres, town halls, assembly halls etc for public meetings, carnivals and celebrations.
“While the Force is not unaware of the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement and assembly, it makes bold to state that the enjoyment of these rights must be situated within the bounds of the law and appropriate civil behavior,” the statement said.
It implored Nigerians to cooperate with the Police in their effort at improving the maintenance of effective safety and security throughout the airports. It also called on the Nigerian elite, political and opinion leaders to assist the Police in the education and enlightenment of their fans, admirers, supporters and followers on the need to abide by these rules, as failure to comply will attract appropriate legal sanctions.
Full text of the statement
PRESS RELEASE: POLICE BAN GATHERINGS, RECEPTIONS AND CARNIVALS AT AIRPORTS - Our Airports are Exclusive Security Zones
As part of deliberate efforts towards averting any security breach and the need to protect critical infrastructures, travellers, aircrew, airport staff and personnel at the nation’s local and international airports, the Nigeria Police High Command has placed a total ban on political, socio-cultural or religious gatherings within and around airport premises, including tarmacs, lounges and other sensitive security points.
Rising from a strategic security meeting at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Tuesday, the Police Authorities directed the Airport Command Commissioners of Police and Commissioners of Police in states hosting the airports to ensure that, in line with international best practices, firm security measures are taken to safeguard the airports and their critical infrastructures and to prevent a situation where the airports are turned into places of political assemblies, religious worship and other social receptions, as there are enough civic centres, town halls, assembly halls etc for public meetings, carnivals and celebrations of all kinds.
While the Force is not unaware of the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement and assembly, it makes bold to state that the enjoyment of these rights must be situated within the bounds of the law and appropriate civil behaviour.
The Force therefore implores Nigerians to cooperate with the Police in their effort at improving the maintenance of effective safety and security at all the nooks and crannies of the airport. It further calls on the Nigerian elite, political and opinion leaders to assist the Police in the education and enlightenment of their fans, admirers, supporters and followers on the need to abide by these rules, as failure to comply will attract appropriate legal sanctions.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc has reiterated his Administration’s unalloyed commitment towards eliminating all forms of threat to internal security, even as he pledges a safe and conducive environment for our democracy and democratic institutions to thrive.
CSP FRANK E. MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
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