Protocol Breach: FAAN Lambastes Ex-Zamfara Gov, Yari For Allegedly Assaulting Airport Official

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  • As Fani-Kayode Calls For Yari’s Arrest
By Kolawole Ojebisi

The immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari has been flayed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for assaulting an airport official enforcing COVID-19 protocols.

The agency confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Saturday.

Federal Airports Authority of NigeriaRead also: Sanwo-Olu Mulls Full Re-Opening Of Lagos Economy

The unnamed airport personnel, who is a COVID-19 enforcement official, was said to be trying to disinfect the ex-governor’s luggage in accordance with COVID’19 protocols, when Yari pushed him away, claiming to be an important personality.

FAAN said the ex-governor’s actions were “irresponsible” and a blatant violation of the public health procedures on COVID-19.

According to FAAN, the ex-governor didn’t eventually adhere to any of the procedures and protocols laid down for air travellers by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force(PTF) on COVID ’19.

“The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby strongly condemns the conduct of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Abdulaziz Yari who blatantly violated the Public Health procedures (COVID-19) on travels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday 11th July 2020.

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“He refused to adhere to the protocols and procedures put in place by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 19 by forcefully pushing away an officer of the Environment Department when he insisted that his luggage must be disinfected.

“The former Governor said the officer should have known he is a VIP.

“This irresponsible act endangers all other airport users, it is unacceptable, and as such it has been duly escalated(sic).

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“FAAN hereby cautions all airport users, especially our esteemed VIPs to please respect the Presidential directive by observing the Public Health travel protocols put in place to protect all air travellers against infection and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, former Aviation Minister  and controversial public analyst,Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has said the ex-zamfara state governor should thank his lucky stars that he is no longer calling the shot in the aviation ministry.

Reacting to Yari’s refusal to adhere to COVID ’19 protocols at the Aminu Kano Airport, Fani-Kayode who slammed the ex-governor  for his action, said he would have banned Yari from airports in Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode’s reaction was made in a series of tweets on Wednesday.

Fani-Kayode, who called Yari many unprintable names, said the ex-governor must be called to order before his alleged action gets people hurt.

“The authorities need to cage him before people are hurt, insulted, threatened, maimed, wounded and possibly even killed by him and his boys,” the controversial ex-minister said.

Kayode added, “If I were still Minister of Aviation and he tried this nonsense with any of those in my Ministry or parastatals I would ban him from the airports and from flying in Nigeria and if he ever assaulted any of my officials or staff I would have him arrested, chained, detained, prosecuted and jailed.”

“The man is a common thug, a notorious bully, a disgrace to Zamfara state, a disgrace to the north and a disgrace to Nigeria. Not everyone can be intimidated by him and it is about time that the FG and the Nigerian people called him out and put him in his place,” the tweets concluded.

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