Hajj: Lagos blames security operatives for fake dollar saga – The Nation
November 20, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, has blamed security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA),Ikeja, Lagos, for the successful exportation of fake $22,000 by a Nigerian pilgrim to Saudi Arabia.
He faulted the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security operatives for not carrying out effective check on the travellers’ bagage.
The commissioner explained that it was not the responsibility of the Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims Board to check the bags and baggage of travellers at the airport.
He said: “Checking bags and baggage of intending travellers at the airport is not our responsibility. We are not empowered to do that. In fact, all members of our board have their bags thoroughly searched when we were leaving Nigeria. If anyone is to be blamed for the incident, it should be the security operatives at the MMIA.”
