The Nigerian government Sunday said there was no ulterior motive behind the search a former vice president of the country and the presidential candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar and his staff underwent on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, from Dubai.
Abubakar alleged earlier on Sunday that the search by the “agents of the state” was meant to intimidate him.
But the country’s minister of aviation Hadi Sirika said the claim was false and “mischievous”.
“For the records, all incoming passengers on international flights go through customs, Immigration, health and security screening,” Sirika said.
“Where the aircraft is using the private, charter wing, as the PDP Candidate did, such arrivals are met by a team of the Immìgration, customs and other security agencies.”
The minister confirmed that Abubakar was truly searched by immigration officials, he insisted that former vice president was “accorded full respect as a former Vice President of Nigeria.”
More details soon.
Why Atiku Abubakar was searched at airport – Presidency
