The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered that all mobile phones should be switched off during flights on all Nigerian airlines.

NCAA director-general, Capt. Chris Najomo, gave the directive at an “Emergency National Civil Aviation Security Committee and Stakeholders Meeting“ in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Najomo said: “Nothing like airplane mode during flight on all Nigerian airlines again.

“To avoid ambiguity and perceived confusion, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines.

“Flight mode is no longer allowed. All phones must be switched off,” he stressed.

Mr Najomo directed air operators in the country to amend their operations manual to reflect the requirement and submit same to the NCAA for approval.

He added that the authority would remain alert to future review of the requirement as aircraft technological and safety enhancements improved risk assessment results.

“It is the responsibility of the crew to communicate this requirement to passengers, and it is also the responsibility of the passengers to comply with crew instructions,” he said

The D-G urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to aviation security and the safety of the people.

Mr Najomo, who said aviation security was everyone’s responsibility, added that timely information sharing would be needed for effective performance.

“The threats we face in aviation stem from deliberate or attempted sabotage, non-compliance with aviation protocols by travelling public, non-implementation of approved standard operating procedures by service providers,“ he said

Mr Najomo assured that the NCAA will intensify efforts by spearheading adherence to national and international standards.

The NCAA boss said the service providers would need to revise screening protocols and ensure transparent, swift, accountable training.

“We are going to do a mock response next week. We are going to carry it out in Lagos and Abuja, and come up with a result.

“Aviation security personnel and law enforcement must be reinforced with training, professionalism, and clearly defined rules of engagement.

All stakeholders, from airlines to intelligence partners, must work without silos to share threat intelligence and coordinate rapid response,“ he said.

Earlier, Michael Achimugu, director, consumer protection and public affairs, NCAA, said during a presentation that security is to decide what method is best, under each circumstance, during a flight.

Mr Achimugu, who talked on a topic “Unruly Passenger Behaviour: A Consumer Protection Perspective,“ stated that uncooperative suspects are handled differently from a cooperating suspect.

“This is global. In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, even if you cooperate, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice.”

He said AVSEC must step up regulatory enforcement to become more consistent and stringent.

(NAN)