FAAN Issues Statement on Viral Airport Filming Incident
The Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially responded to a trending story involving a man who alleged he was detained by security agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Abuja for using his camera. The incident, which sparked online discussions, was addressed by FAAN in a statement released on social media platform X on the morning of February 21.
Details of the Passenger's Claim
The man, identified by the handle @chupatric on X, shared his experience, questioning whether it is permissible to record videos inside the airport. In his post, he stated, "Good morning sir, please I have a question. At MMIA, I was detained by AVSEC because of my GoPro, which I use to document my travels on my YouTube page. I was taken to the office downstairs, showed them video on my gallery was personal shots, can't we make personal video?" This account quickly gained traction, prompting FAAN to provide clarification on the matter.
FAAN's Explanation of the Incident
In their statement, FAAN explained that the passenger was recording a video within a restricted Security Screening area, where signage clearly indicates that filming is not allowed. The agency emphasized that officers politely requested the man to stop recording, citing concerns over the privacy of other travelers, who have the right not to be recorded without consent. FAAN noted that such complaints are frequently raised by passengers, necessitating intervention in such cases.
When the passenger declined to comply with the initial request, he was invited to the Crime Investigation & Intelligence (CII) Unit office for further clarification. FAAN stressed that this was not a detention but an opportunity to discuss acceptable camera use within the airport environment. The passenger subsequently deleted the recording, provided a written undertaking, and was allowed to continue his journey without further issues.
Guidelines on Airport Filming
FAAN used this incident to reassure the public about their policies on filming. The agency stated, "We want to reassure everyone that personal selfie videos are not restricted. Intervention only occurs when filming involves other passengers without consent or captures sensitive operational or security areas. These measures are in place to protect privacy, safety, and smooth airport operations." They expressed appreciation for public understanding and cooperation in maintaining a secure and comfortable travel environment for all passengers.
This response aims to balance security protocols with passenger rights, highlighting FAAN's commitment to enforcing rules while ensuring transparency in their operations.
