By Lawani Mikairu

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday, said it had commenced a full scale investigation into the security breach that occurred last Friday at the Sultan Abubakar Sadiq III Airport, Sokoto, during the visit of former governor of the state, Senator Aliu Wammako, saying sanctions will be imposed on those culpable.

Confirming the probe, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, said the Authority got reports of a huge crowd that “broke security rules and gained unauthorised access to the critical areas of the airport, such as runway, taxiway and apron.”

According to Adurogboye, “the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, Nig.CARs, Part 17.48.3(c), stipulates that access by persons and vehicles to restricted areas, enhanced security-restricted areas and sterile areas is restricted only to persons who have a clear need for such access by virtue of their duties.

“Also, National Civil Aviation Security Programme, NCASP, 6.3.1. states that ‘in accordance with the appropriate legislation, no person to whom the legislation applies, shall enter or remain in a Restricted Area, Enhanced Security Restricted Area, or tenant restricted area unless that person has in his or her possession a Restricted Area or Tenant Restricted Area Permit in respect of that restricted area or Tenant Restricted Area and complies with all conditions of issuance of the Permit’.

“NCAA will not tolerate the re-occurrence of any such safety and security violations at any of the nation’s airports.

“Therefore, in view of anticipated increase in aviation activities, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and other state and private aerodrome operators are directed to beef up safety and security systems at their airports.”