Taxi drivers in Lagos international airport has disclosed a shocking revelation raising alarm over an alleged threat by the Boko Haram terrorists.
The Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria (ACHAN) has raised an alarm over the security threat that the operation of unregistered cab drivers pose to the nation’s airports, claiming some of them may be used by terrorists to attack the airport terminals.
The association therefore called on the federal government to curb the activities of illegal cab drivers at the airports, to forestall having the security of passengers and facilities around the terminals being compromised.
Chief Stanley Worlu Dike, President of ACHAN, said 98% of missing passengers’ cases are linked to those who boarded unregistered cabs at the airports and that some of those drivers have on occasions taken passengers to unknown locations.
Dike advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to curtail the operations of the illegal cab drivers and provide office spaces for ACHAN members since the association complements the efforts of government in providing job opportunities for young Nigerians.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of ACHAN, Alhaji Muili Yinusa, said the military location at the General Aviation Terminal 1 in Lagos has become a safe haven for such unregistered operators.
"A lot of illegal vehicles operate from the military location at the GAT and when they steal passengers’ luggage or property, the victims run down to look for the Chairman of ACHAN."
Alhaji Yinusa also urged FAAN to cancel the proposed 'Pay As You Go' policy the airports management authority is planning to impose on ACHAN members.
"We pay millions of Naira to FAAN annually, so we are supposed to enjoy certain privileges as other concessionaires," he said.
Source: The Nation