The federal government is considering shutting down the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, due to rising concerns over its use for illegal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
News About Nigeria learnt that GAT serves private jet owners and charter operators, but authorities believe it has become a hotspot for criminal transactions.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed this while receiving a report from a ministerial task force investigating illegal private charter operations.
According to the report, some private jet owners misuse their licenses under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) by secretly operating charter services.
This lack of regulation has made it difficult to track their activities, allowing illegal dealings to thrive.
Keyamo stated that previous efforts to address the issue were resisted because the individuals involved are considered highly influential.
However, he insisted that his background in law enforcement and prosecution prepared him to take on such challenges.
The minister described the situation as a national security risk, noting that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has struggled to regulate private charter operations.
The task force found that weaknesses in oversight and security loopholes have cost the government over N120 billion in revenue over the past decade.
Captain Ado Sanusi, who led the task force, explained that most criminal activities in the sector occur at the GAT.
The findings align with reports from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which also flagged the terminal as a major point for illicit activities.
The task force recommended an immediate shutdown of the terminal, followed by a thorough reorganization before reopening.
Keyamo assured that the government would take the report seriously and work towards implementing its recommendations.
He also directed the NCAA to publish a list of legitimate PNCF holders in newspapers and airports to expose illegal operators.
In addition, he disclosed that authorities are investigating a foreign airline accused of assisting drug traffickers.
He warned that if commercial airlines could be involved in such activities, private jet owners might be engaging in even worse offenses.
