The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the issue of extortion of passengers by officials of government agencies at the nation’s airports is beyond the ministry’s control.
In a post on X. com on Sunday, Keyamo however said the aviation ministry was working with other ministers responsible for the affected agencies to find a lasting solution to the situation.
The minister’s statement is coming amid several complaints by travelers over alleged extortion by officials at the airport.
He stated further; “I have received several complaints about the menace of begging and extortion at our International airports by a few unscrupulous persons who give all of us a bad image.
My phones are beeping every minute with messages about this from well-meaning Nigerians. Just to set the records straight, most of the agencies involved in this menace are not under the control of the aviation ministry, though they are stationed at our airports.
However, I have been working closely with other ministers, arms of government and agencies who are responsible for these agencies and a solution is in sight soon.”
Keyamo who explained that the ministry was collaborating with the National Security Adviser on the issue, added that he would soon announce practical steps to “stem this ugly tide.”
