The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)  has arrested a staff of Arik Air for allegedly extorting money from passenger at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

The arrest  followed an emergency FAAN management meeting  on the incessant extortion of passengers by airport officials at the nation’s airports and steps being taken to address the situation.

The meeting had in attendance the MD/CE, Directors of the Authority, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Airport Managers and Airport Chiefs of Security.

A statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said that the On Duty Card (ODC) of the erring staff has been withdrawn immediately, and that she has been handed over to the relevant security agency for appropriate action to serve as deterrent to other bad eggs in the airport.

Recalled that recent embarrassing online videos where passengers complained of acts of extortion at the nation’s airport had necessitated the need to devise multi level strategies to curb the menace.

Yakubu said that the meeting also resolved that henceforth, any erring airport official caught soliciting for bribes at the nation’s airports will be permanently denied access to working at the airports.

Officials were also directed to always wear conspicuous name tags anytime they are on duty.

The MD/CE, Capt. Yadudu further directed the Airport Managers to ensure that all stakeholders at the airports are properly sensitised on the new development as there will be no sacred cows.

FAAN, he said is committed to its core values of safety, security and comfort.