A staff of Arik Airline was apprehended while soliciting a bribe from a passenger at the general aviation terminal in Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said.

At an emergency FAAN meeting, FAAN’s spokeswoman Henrietta Yakubu said the extortion was a cause for concern.

The meeting was held to discuss the incessant extortion of passengers by airport and airline officials and steps being taken to address the situation.

Ms Yakubu added that the on-duty card of the errant staff was withdrawn immediately and handed over to the relevant security agency for appropriate action.

She explained it would serve as a deterrent to other bad eggs in the airport.

According to her, recent embarrassing online videos where passengers complained of extortion at airports had necessitated the need to devise multi-level strategies to curb the menace.

Ms Yakubu noted that FAAN’s managing director Rabiu Yadudu, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease of Doing Business, Jumoke Oduwole and others were part of the meeting.

It was resolved that any errant employees caught soliciting bribes would be permanently denied access to work at the airports, she said.

“Officials were also directed to always wear conspicuous name tags anytime they are on duty,” she stated.

Ms Yakubu added that Mr Yadudu directed airport managers to ensure stakeholders are properly sensitised on the new development as there will be no sacred cows.

(NAN)