NIGERIA – The United States of America Transportation Security Administration (US TSA) team has conducted a special focus assessment visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) via it’s social medial handles.

According to the social media post, the objective of the visit is to evaluate the implementation of Civil Aviation Security (AVSEC) Standards and appropriate Recommended Practices as outlined in Annexes 14 and 17 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory to.

The five-man team included Aron Tomchuck (team lead), Lori Silcox (US TSA Representative, West Africa), Julian Persaud (Director, Regional Operation Centre, Abu Dhabi), Richartha Bartley, and Ruth Gaertner.

Areas assessed were airport operations; training, qualifications, security culture; quality control; access control; aircraft security; passenger and cabin baggage security; hold baggage security; cargo, mail, and other goods security; special categories of passengers; acts of unlawful interference prevention and preventative security measures; landside security; and cybersecurity.

In addition, the team would evaluate the status of previously identified deficiencies, and the corrective measures implemented as described in the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) established.

The assessment visit would also entail an on-site inspection of US aircraft operators (Delta and United Airlines) and other allied services providers to ensure their compliance with applicable TSA aviation security regulations.

The TSA team, during this routine visit, would be collaborating with the AVSEC teams of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), led by Mr. Akoja Okplefu, General Manager, Evaluation & Regulations, NCAA, and Mrs. Hilary Ibiere, General Manager, AVSEC Operations, respectively.