Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA1366
2006-06-06 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
RENOVATION AND UPGRADE OF NDLEA FACILITIES AT
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 061456Z Jun 06
UNCLAS ABUJA 001366
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL/AAE
LAGOS FOR INL,DEA and ECON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM EAIR PREL PINR ABUD NI
SUBJECT: RENOVATION AND UPGRADE OF NDLEA FACILITIES AT
ABUJA AIRPORT; NEW X-RAY MACHINES NEEDED
REF: Abuja 0438
UNCLAS ABUJA 001366
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL/AAE
LAGOS FOR INL,DEA and ECON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM EAIR PREL PINR ABUD NI
SUBJECT: RENOVATION AND UPGRADE OF NDLEA FACILITIES AT
ABUJA AIRPORT; NEW X-RAY MACHINES NEEDED
REF: Abuja 0438
1. UNCLASSIFIED - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. SUMMARY: Renovations to NDLEA facilities at Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA),Abuja, recommended by
INL LEA, have been completed. NDLEA Airport Commander and
other officers now have adequate, air conditioned offices.
New holding cells for both male and female suspects have
been built and there is an isolated and lockable, if not
completely secure, storage space for seized evidence. All
work was completed with GON Aviation Ministry funds. NAIA
now needs a new, digital body scanner (x-ray machine). We
propose providing the machine with operator training and a
spare parts package for approximately $350K from pipeline
funds. Depending on appropriate facilities, we propose
installing the same machines at both Port Harcourt and Kano
airports, but without the spare parts. (One package in the
country should be sufficient). Total would be approximately
$850K which is available in interdiction funds. End Summary.
3. When Aviation Minister Babalola Borishade toured NDLEA
facilities at NAIA at LEA's request in early April, he
directed his staff and subordinate agencies to prepare a
plan for renovating NDLEA facilities at the airport within a
week. Upon receipt of the plan, he authorized its immediate
implementation and provided Ministry funds for the work. The
work, including new furniture, is now complete.
4. As indicated in reftel, the x-ray machine currently at
NAIA is over 15 years old and was transferred from Lagos
when we provided a new machine for that airport. It is
currently inoperable. Now that the GON has provided a
suitable air conditioned facility, we propose providing a
new state of the art digital machine - a CONPASS Body
Scanner manufactured by OD Security in The Netherlands. We
also propose providing NDLEA a large safe to secure
evidence.
5. After considerable research, we have determined that no
comparable American machine exists. Those produced by AS&E
and Rapiscan are excellent for detecting contraband and/or
explosives ON the body but not internally. As best as we
can determine, the CONPASS Body Scanner is the only one of
its type in the world which can detect swallowed narcotics
and internal possession, similar to x-ray machines used in
medical applications. Unlike most medical machines, it does
not require any removal of clothing nor does it require the
subject to lie down (as is now required in both Abuja and
Lagos). With CONPASS, the subject simply stands on a
platform which them moves past the viewer. (See
www.CONPASS.INFO. In addition, the company is represented
in Abuja, thereby simplifying required maintenance. The
company has provided security and security-related hardware
to the GON military and police forces for some 30 years and
has an excellent reputation here. They also represent AS&E
and would be delighted to sell us an American machine if one
existed.
6. COMMENT: The Aviation Minister's quick, decisive action
exemplifies what the GON can do on its own when it has the
will. The new machine for NAIA is an absolute necessity to
provide quick examination of anyone suspected of internal
possession and will become even more important when direct
flights begin from Abuja to the U.S., which we suspect is
only a matter of time.
7. There currently is no detection equipment at Port
Harcourt airport. Although Port Harcourt has eclipsed Kano
in terms of international flights to Europe, there are still
many flights between Kano and the Middle East which are used
by drug couriers. Both airports are in dire need of support
and NDLEA Chairman Giade personally asked LEA to see what
assistance could be provided in Kano. LEA will inspect Kano
Airport next week. However, if only one airport can be
supported at this time, it must be Abuja. Our second
priority would be Port Harcourt, which services the American
oil community and has no detection equipment at all. FUREY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL/AAE
LAGOS FOR INL,DEA and ECON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM EAIR PREL PINR ABUD NI
SUBJECT: RENOVATION AND UPGRADE OF NDLEA FACILITIES AT
ABUJA AIRPORT; NEW X-RAY MACHINES NEEDED
REF: Abuja 0438
1. UNCLASSIFIED - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. SUMMARY: Renovations to NDLEA facilities at Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA),Abuja, recommended by
INL LEA, have been completed. NDLEA Airport Commander and
other officers now have adequate, air conditioned offices.
New holding cells for both male and female suspects have
been built and there is an isolated and lockable, if not
completely secure, storage space for seized evidence. All
work was completed with GON Aviation Ministry funds. NAIA
now needs a new, digital body scanner (x-ray machine). We
propose providing the machine with operator training and a
spare parts package for approximately $350K from pipeline
funds. Depending on appropriate facilities, we propose
installing the same machines at both Port Harcourt and Kano
airports, but without the spare parts. (One package in the
country should be sufficient). Total would be approximately
$850K which is available in interdiction funds. End Summary.
3. When Aviation Minister Babalola Borishade toured NDLEA
facilities at NAIA at LEA's request in early April, he
directed his staff and subordinate agencies to prepare a
plan for renovating NDLEA facilities at the airport within a
week. Upon receipt of the plan, he authorized its immediate
implementation and provided Ministry funds for the work. The
work, including new furniture, is now complete.
4. As indicated in reftel, the x-ray machine currently at
NAIA is over 15 years old and was transferred from Lagos
when we provided a new machine for that airport. It is
currently inoperable. Now that the GON has provided a
suitable air conditioned facility, we propose providing a
new state of the art digital machine - a CONPASS Body
Scanner manufactured by OD Security in The Netherlands. We
also propose providing NDLEA a large safe to secure
evidence.
5. After considerable research, we have determined that no
comparable American machine exists. Those produced by AS&E
and Rapiscan are excellent for detecting contraband and/or
explosives ON the body but not internally. As best as we
can determine, the CONPASS Body Scanner is the only one of
its type in the world which can detect swallowed narcotics
and internal possession, similar to x-ray machines used in
medical applications. Unlike most medical machines, it does
not require any removal of clothing nor does it require the
subject to lie down (as is now required in both Abuja and
Lagos). With CONPASS, the subject simply stands on a
platform which them moves past the viewer. (See
www.CONPASS.INFO. In addition, the company is represented
in Abuja, thereby simplifying required maintenance. The
company has provided security and security-related hardware
to the GON military and police forces for some 30 years and
has an excellent reputation here. They also represent AS&E
and would be delighted to sell us an American machine if one
existed.
6. COMMENT: The Aviation Minister's quick, decisive action
exemplifies what the GON can do on its own when it has the
will. The new machine for NAIA is an absolute necessity to
provide quick examination of anyone suspected of internal
possession and will become even more important when direct
flights begin from Abuja to the U.S., which we suspect is
only a matter of time.
7. There currently is no detection equipment at Port
Harcourt airport. Although Port Harcourt has eclipsed Kano
in terms of international flights to Europe, there are still
many flights between Kano and the Middle East which are used
by drug couriers. Both airports are in dire need of support
and NDLEA Chairman Giade personally asked LEA to see what
assistance could be provided in Kano. LEA will inspect Kano
Airport next week. However, if only one airport can be
supported at this time, it must be Abuja. Our second
priority would be Port Harcourt, which services the American
oil community and has no detection equipment at all. FUREY