Keyamo Stirs Debate: DSS and the Legality of Airport Bag Searches
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, recently spoke out against the involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS) in searching passengers’ bags at airports.
Keyamo argued that the DSS has no legitimate role in bag searches, emphasizing that such actions are an overstep, particularly when passengers are profiled without clear reasons.
This issue is compounded by the congestion caused by multiple agencies performing similar checks, leading to delays and inconvenience at airports.
To address these concerns, Keyamo’s ministry has dismantled the “joint inspection table” where several agencies, including the DSS, Customs, NDLEA, and others, were previously stationed together.
Now, security agencies will focus on working with aviation security at the screening machines, allowing for more efficient and less intrusive checks. If any suspicious items are identified, the agencies will have the option to conduct further screenings privately.