The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that some private aircraft operating in Nigeria are being used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.

Keyamo made this statement on Thursday at the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja during the inauguration of a Ministerial Taskforce Committee according to Channels News.

Keyamo did not name the specific airlines involved but stated that these illegal activities have caused the sector to lose billions of dollars and raised serious security concerns.

“These illegal activities have made the sector lose billions of dollars and have raised serious security concerns,” Keyamo said.

He also mentioned that some of those involved in these illegal activities are individuals who obtained licenses for non-commercial flight operations but have violated the terms of their licenses.

The minister addressed the newly formed committee, instructing them to take inventory of all non-commercial flight operators, investigate professional licenses to verify their authenticity, and recommend disciplinary measures against any airlines found guilty of these illegal activities.

“Take inventory of all non-commercial flight operators, investigate all professional licenses, and check their authenticity. Recommend disciplinary measures against airlines found culpable,” Keyamo directed the committee members.

The eight-member committee is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi. The committee is expected to report all findings to the minister within the next three months.