The Federal Government is contemplating shutting down the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, following reports of illegal activities such as money laundering, drug and human trafficking, and other criminal actions linked to the VIP section of the airport.
The GAT, which caters to private jet owners and charter services, has reportedly become a hub for illicit transactions. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, while receiving the report from a seven-member ministerial task force on illegal private charter operations, expressed concerns over the growing prevalence of illegal charter services and violations by private jet owners. Many of these owners are alleged to be using the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) to facilitate criminal operations.
Keyamo, who has a background as a prosecutor with the EFCC, stressed the importance of confronting these issues, saying, “My duty is to touch the untouchable,” and reaffirmed that addressing illegal charter operations was a national security priority. The minister added that the inability of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate PNCF holders had allowed these illegal activities to thrive, with dire consequences including money laundering and trafficking.
Captain Ado Sanusi, the chairman of the task force, highlighted serious issues within the industry, such as weak regulations, oversight lapses, and the massive revenue loss to the government—amounting to over N120 billion in the past decade. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), 90% of criminal activities at the GAT include money laundering, drug trafficking, and fugitive transfers.
The task force has recommended shutting down and reorganizing the GAT to curb illegal activities and improve the revenue-generating capacity of the aviation sector. In response, Minister Keyamo confirmed that the report would be submitted to the Presidency, and the NCAA was instructed to publish a list of legitimate PNCF holders to combat illegal operators.
The minister also revealed that the government is investigating a foreign commercial airline accused by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of facilitating drug trafficking in Nigeria. This investigation further underscores the gravity of the situation, particularly with private jet owners likely involved in similar illegal activities.
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