Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo says he is working with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other ministries to tackle the menace of “begging and extortion” at Nigerian international airports.

“I have received several complaints about the menace of begging and extortion at our international airports by a few unscrupulous persons who give all of us a bad image,” Mr Keyamo said, lamenting that he keeps getting reports of officials begging and extorting air travellers.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday, Mr Keyamo said that although “most” of the officials involved in begging and extortion at airports are not under his ministry, he is working in collaboration with Mr Ribadu and other ministers who staff the airports to tackle the menace.

“Most of the agencies involved in this menace are not under the control of the Aviation Ministry, though they are stationed at our airports,” Mr Keyamo said.

“However, I have been working closely with other ministers, arms of government and agencies who are responsible for these agencies, and a solution is in sight soon.”

He added, “We are all working under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, who called a meeting a few days ago on this issue, and we shall soon unveil practical steps being taken to stem this ugly tide.”

In response to Mr Keyamo’s statement, some Nigerians expressed concerns over officials’ actions, while others blamed the menace on staff’s poor salaries.

“If this is solved, the majority of the issues being faced in our international airports will go,” @dammygtnet, an X user, said. “Some will even want to punish you for not parting with your money. It is really disturbing. Almost every point you reach, na so so begging begging.”

Another X user, @DjfreakyDaboss, said, “This has been over three decades problem going back to during Babangida military regime. CNN carried out a secret investigation into our Lagos international airport, bribery scandal among airport and security officials and air (sic) it. That was a national embarrassment. Go and verify it. Till date, no solution to that menace. So I’m not sure you too have a solution because the top is rotten.”

Also, @1Rant said, “I am glad to hear this. Many will say it is because of the economy; I do not think so. The culture of using “uniforms” for extortion has stayed with us for too long. Thank you, @fkeyamo, for paying attention to this.”