*The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria deploys advanced scanners and other gadgets for international flights, ending physical luggage checks at the old and new terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In a strategic move to streamline security processes and reduce travellers’ time spent during pre-flight check-ins, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a major upgrade in passenger facilitation for international flights at both old and new terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The latest security and screening solution is said to have phased out physical luggage screening at the MMIA, Lagos.

FAAN has installed the state-of-the-art Rapiscan Systems screening machines and surveillance systems at key checkpoints within the terminals at the airport.

The regulatory agency said the newly-acquired brand new mobile surveillance system is 鈥渢o boost security operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.鈥�

绿帽献妻 reports the Rapiscan Systems manufactures security equipment and systems specifically designed 鈥渇or checkpoints, cargo, vehicle, baggage, parcel, and air cargo security inspection鈥�.

The aviation sector regulatory agency noted the new technology was designed and deployed to streamline security processes and reduce the time spent during pre-flight check-ins.

Features and functionality of new machines, by FAAN

FAAN has already installed four high-capacity screening machines at the MMIA capable of detecting illicit drugs, concealed currency, and other prohibited items, report said.

The surveillance system is equipped with such features and functionality to Multi laser system, Laser range finder, Thermal cameras, Multi sensor dat-con-tracer, Telescopic mast, Video tracking and object detection, and Alarm management and target tracking.

It stated: 鈥淭his is part of measures to address the security challenges at the Lagos Airport.鈥�

Emergence of a central control system to monitor airport operations

Physical searches will now only occur when suspicious items are flagged by the Rapiscan systems, according to report.

In order to support and maximise the enhanced security architecture, surveillance monitors are being mounted for use by border control agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agricultural Quarantine Service.

It is also noted that these regulatory agencies will all be linked to a central control system to monitor operations and ensure accountability, with personnel identities displayed for transparency.

Officials confirmed that the long-standing manual search table at the terminal entrance will be dismantled this week, significantly easing the passenger flow process.

The Orion 928DX, the newly-deployed scanning technology, is regarded as one of the most advanced systems in global aviation and forms part of a broader effort by FAAN to modernise Nigeria鈥檚 airport security with e-gates and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

The modern equipment combines Artificial Intelligence with real-time threat detection capabilities, and it is already redefining the way baggage is screened at the country鈥檚 busiest airport, according to report.

Fitted with crystal-clear digital displays, the machines -Orion 928DX boasts a range of smart features designed to detect narcotics, explosives, organic materials, and undeclared currency with astonishing accuracy.

Essence of installing state-of-the-art machines at MMIA: Official

Juliet Chima-Ogechukwu, FAAN’s Head of ICT at the MMIA, in an interview, said the agency’s personnel had been trained on the use of the new facilities towards enhancing safety and security at the terminal in Lagos.

Chima-Ogechukwu explained: 鈥淎s luggage passes through the machine, it performs real-time scanning, quickly flagging suspicious content and highlighting it clearly on screen.

“The system shows you exactly where the threat is located.

“With narcotics and explosives, it instantly detects, targets, and provides a clear image using its Narscan technology.

She also stated: 鈥淯nlike earlier systems that could detect one threat at a time, the Orion 928DX handles simultaneous scans, detecting both explosives and narcotics in real time.

鈥淚ts integrated algorithm also allows it to adapt and absorb future upgrades, a feature many older systems lack.

鈥淭his machine can evolve with new technologies. It鈥檚 designed to grow.”

The Head of ICT at FAAN further said: 鈥淭he system also includes a dual-mode auto-set feature for detecting organic substances, such as agricultural products, often concealed in luggage.

“It identifies them through two scanning modes, range and interactive, enabling security personnel to isolate specific pixels and trace their origins within the bag.”

Describing the additional functionality of the tech equipment, the top official said: 鈥淚t even goes a step further by detecting currency when travellers carry more than permitted. 鈥淚t won鈥檛 tell you it鈥檚 Naira, but it will highlight the excess.

“You then, investigate and confirm the currency type.鈥�

After the installation of the new machines, many aviation security personnel have been trained on both users and technical support programmes facilitated by the equipment manufacturer in the United Kingdom (UK), she stated.

Chima-Ogechukwu said: 鈥淣ow, we continue training and retraining our teams to ensure optimal performance.

“MMA currently operates six Orion 928DX machines and four Orion 927DX systems, with plans to receive four more units in the coming weeks.”

She averred: 鈥淭he upgrade is also ongoing at other international airports across the country, including Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja.

“With the new machines in place, MMA is rethinking the need for manual baggage checks altogether.

鈥淲ith this technology, we really don鈥檛 need to stand by a table and start opening bags.”

The official said: “Once the system identifies a suspicious item, it gives us an exact image and location.

“Then, if necessary, we proceed to a secondary search, quickly and efficiently.鈥�

She disclosed that plans are underway to set up a private screening cubicle beside the scanning area for more discreet checks, with additional monitors installed to allow other security agencies real-time access to flagged visuals.

鈥淟et me put it this way, with this machine, we can dismantle the old manual search tables. That鈥檚 exactly what we鈥檙e looking at,” Chima-Ogechukwu said.

Security Chief: Gadgets to eliminate physical contact, unnecessary interference during travels

Albert Igbafe Afegbai, Director of Aviation Security Services at FAAN, said collaboration is being strengthened among security agencies to achieve the new operational architecture.

The ongoing test run of the newly introduced e-gates at the Lagos International Airport will reshape passengers鈥� experience, Afegbai stated.

The FAAN Director of Aviation Security Services said: 鈥淲e are trying to eliminate physical contact and unnecessary interference during travels. With this new e-gate system, passengers only need to scan their boarding passes to pass through.

“Without a valid pass, access is denied 鈥� and that significantly reduces touting and prevents unauthorised access.”

Afegbai also disclosed that in order to further enhance security operations at the Lagos Airport, FAAN has also installed a new set of high-performance baggage screening machines designed to detect narcotics, undeclared currencies, and other contraband.

According to him, prior to these installations, existing equipment fell short in detecting certain prohibited items of travellers.

With the acquisition of modern machines, FAAN is also facilitating capacity building across various agencies including the NDLEA, DSS, Immigration, Quarantine and Customs.

鈥淲e are now installing multiple monitors on each screening machine, so every agency has access to a dedicated screen,鈥� Afegbai said.

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