FG raises alarm over money laundering, drug trafficking via private aircrafts

The Federal Government has raised the alarm, alleging that some prominent Nigerians are using private aircraft for money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal practices.

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development raised the flag on Thursday during the inauguration of a “Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters” in Abuja.

The Minister lamented that the country is losing billions of dollars to the activities of the money launderers and drug dealers.

According to the Minister, the unfortunate development has raised security and safety concerns, stressing that the operations of private aircraft owners are not properly checked.

Keyamo stated that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu recently alerted the ministry of some of the sharp practices going on among the private aircraft owners.

He noted that such practices undermine the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and other regulatory bodies.

“These illicit activities have not only resulted in significant financial losses to the Federal Government, but have also raised security and safety concerns as the operations of private aircraft owners have remained largely unchecked and unregulated.

“This has also resulted in using these private aircraft for other illegal activities. Last week, the National Security Adviser wrote to us, alerting us of the spike in money laundering, drug-trafficking and other illegal activities through the use of private aircraft in the country”, Keyamo added.