Private aircraft used for money laundering, drug trafficking – Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says certain private aircraft operating in Nigeria are being used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.
He made this revelation while speaking at the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Thursday, June 27, during the formation of a Ministerial Taskforce Committee aimed at stopping illicit charter activities in the nation. Keyamo, without specifying names, emphasized that these activities have cost the industry billions of dollars and created serious security issues.
The minister went on to say that some of those engaged in illicit activity had obtained permits for flying non-commercial aircraft but had violated the terms of those licenses.
Speaking to the committee members, Keyamo ordered them to compile a list of all operators of non-commercial flights, look into all professional licenses and verify their legitimacy, and suggest sanctions for airlines found to be culpable.
