The Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives of Nigeria (AFARN) has decried poor security at the airports, especially in the restricted areas.

AFARN President, Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma, who spoke at the Air Cargo Security and Safety breakfast meeting, organised by Aero Consult Ltd, explained that it was not enough to monitor restricted areas like the airsides, adding that touts had broken the walls to gain access to the airports.

He therefore charged the federal government to increase security workforce at the airports to protect both travellers and cargoes.

Also, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, said security should be stepped up in the cargo sections of the nation's airports.

Demuren, who was represented by the Director of Aero Medical, Dr. Theresa Bassey, said terrorists had started targeting cargo flights since security checks had improved on passenger flights.

She said:"Air cargo has become one of the most vulnerable aspects of aviation as it provides fewer risks to terrorists who plant whatever they want causing them little or no harm. Aviation security has provided counter measures and has made it difficult for them to access passenger flights unlike the cargo flights that are being viewed as vulnerable."

Also, the President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, called for adequate training for air cargo personnel at the airports.

He also called for access control requirements for personnel with access to air cargo facilities and aircraft, adding that various cargo screening technologies were now available to detect explosives, incendiary devices, and the presence of various chemical and biological agents and nuclear weapons in cargo.