The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed has announced the introduction of “mystery staff” at the country’s four international airports to curb extortion at airports.

Speaking during a one-day sensitization program on the ACI Airport Service Quality Initiative at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Mohammed emphasized the commitment of FAAN to ensure that passengers are not subjected to extortion by airport staff or other government agencies operating at airports.

“The responsibility of the mystery staff is to take note of the activities of staff at the airports and report the same to management,” Mohammed explained.

The move comes in response to widespread allegations of extortion of passengers, particularly at major international airports in the country.

Expressing his displeasure at the tarnished reputation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport due to extortion incidents, Mohammed warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone caught engaging in extortion, especially as the Yuletide season approaches.

He urged representatives of various government agencies operating at the airport, including Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and the Police, to maintain the highest standards in their day-to-day activities.

“The travellers are discouraged from flying through the international terminal of the Lagos airport because of extortion,” he added.