Nigeria: Exit procedures at Nigerian airports, including security checks performed prior to departure; whether access to a police computer network or database is available to security officials at international airports (2018–February 2021)
Information on exit procedures at Nigerian airports, including security checks performed prior to departure and whether access to a police computer network or database is available to security officials at international airports was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
The information in the following sections was provided by a representative of the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) Foundation, a network of approximately 50 civil society organizations from across Nigeria "committed to promoting police accountability and respect for human rights" (NOPRIN n.d.), in an interview with the Research Directorate. The NOPRIN representative indicated that their response is based on information provided by Nigerian immigration, customs, and aviation security (AVSEC) [1] personnel.
1. Exit Procedures at Nigerian Airports
Security outside airports is managed by the Nigerian police and security inside airports is managed by the airport police and AVSEC. There are four security checkpoints at international airports in Nigeria. The first checkpoint is a security check at the entry to the terminal, which checks for bombs and other items. The second checkpoint is a document check, where travellers' documents are verified; for passengers of international flights, there is also a COVID-19 test and an antigen test. At the third checkpoint, AVSEC checks the passenger's information in a database to verify whether they are wanted by the police and whether there are "other issues." This checkpoint is managed by AVSEC. If AVSEC finds anything, such as an arrest warrant, then they hand the passenger over to the police. AVSEC does not follow-up with the police once an individual has been handed over. The fourth checkpoint is customs where officials check for other issues, such as whether passengers are carrying money or "other items." After these four checks are completed, the passenger is cleared to proceed to the lobby. Every passenger goes through all four security checkpoints. Before boarding, there is an additional document check and a final security check. When boarding, there is a check to verify that the passenger has completed all the security checks.
Department of State Security (DSS) officers also patrol the airport in plain clothes and can arrest individuals who are wanted.
The above describes procedures at international airports in Nigeria. The security procedures at local airports are "not as detailed" (NOPRIN 12 Feb. 2021).
Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2. Availability of a Computer Police Network at International Airports
For information on the availability of a computer police network at international airports, see Response to Information Request NGA106000 of November 2017. AVSEC does not have access to a police database or police computer network. If certain individuals are wanted, information "might be shared" with AVSEC by the police; however, AVSEC does not have access to the police database. Individuals who have been observed acting suspiciously in the past "might be the object of suspicion to airport authorities." AVSEC "might" also "get feedback from the police about certain individuals" (NOPRIN 12 Feb. 2021). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Note
[1] According to a December 2017 service charter of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Aviation Security Directorate is the "police organ" of FAAN; the services provided by the Aviation Security Services (AVSEC) include controlling access points, screening departing passengers and baggage, patrolling the "airside" of the airport and conducting "routine surveillance" (Nigeria Dec. 2017, 96-98).
References
The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) Foundation. 12 February 2021. Interview with the Research Directorate.
The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) Foundation. N.d. Homepage. [Accessed 15 Feb. 2021]
Nigeria. December 2017. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). FAAN Integrated Service Charter. [Accessed 17 Feb. 2021]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: CLEEN Foundation; International Air Transport Association; Nigeria – Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, High Commission in Ottawa, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Police Force, Airport Police Command; senior lecturer in criminology at a university in the UK who has conducted research on the Nigerian police.
Internet sites, including: abuja-airport.com; Air Peace; Al Jazeera; Arik Air; Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Azman Air Services Limited; BBC; Bertelsmann Stiftung; Bloomberg; Business Day; Canada – Travel.gc.ca; Centre for Aviation; CLEEN Foundation; Daily Independent; Daily Trust; ecoi.net; Ethiopian Airlines; Factiva; The Guardian [Nigeria]; International Air Transport Association; INTERPOL; lagos-airport.com; Lonely Planet; Max Air; Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two; The Nation; Nigeria – Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Police Force; Nigerian Flight Deck; Open Society Justice Initiative; Premium Times; Pulse.ng; The Punch; Reuters; Ripples Nigeria; UK – Home Office; UN – International Civil Aviation Organization, Refworld; US – Department of State; Vanguard; The Washington Post.