The Federal Government has directed all security agencies at the nation’s airports to be more thorough in their screening of passengers and luggage in order to ensure safety of air travellers, officials and people in the airports.

The directive, which is among other measures being adopted by the government, was given following the recent threat by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria to attack commercial flights anywhere globally.

The ISIS had last April threatened to bring “bloodshed to the skies.”

The order was given in a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) addressed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

The letter reads in part: “The ISIS appears to be re-strategising with more focus on the Middle East and Asia, following the loss of most of its territory in Iraq and Syria.

“Although Africa appears not to be on ISIS immediate focus, the return to Africa of former ISIS fighters from Iraq and Syria as well as the existence of ISIS-linked groups such as the technically suave Abu Musab Al-Barnawi-led Boko Haram faction calls for increased vigilance in the aviation sector, to counter possible new strategies in the ISIS terror campaign.

“From the foregoing report, rigorous vetting of airline personnel and screening of passengers as well as increased vigilance on restricted areas at airports are advised”, the OSGF added