By Amin Kef (Ranger)
A recent opinion piece circulating widely on social media titled: “Sierra Leone’s Airport & Immigration System: A Cycle of Harassment, Exploitation and Total Dysfunction” has sparked intense public debate over alleged misconduct and systemic failures at the Freetown International Airport (FNA) in Lungi. In response, this medium conducted a detailed investigation into the claims, consulting aviation officials, security authorities and industry experts to verify the accuracy of the allegations.
While public feedback is an essential tool for improving service delivery, it is equally important to distinguish factual concerns from unverified claims. Our findings indicate that several of the assertions made in the viral article are misleading, inaccurate or not supported by evidence. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the findings.
The article claims that airport staffs demand boarding passes unnecessarily as a pretext for harassment. However, our investigation reveals that this is standard procedure in airports across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and many other countries. Boarding pass verification upon arrival is important for confirming that passengers disembarked at the correct destination, especially on multi-leg flights. This requirement is rooted in global aviation compliance regulations not in harassment.
Another allegation states that passengers are forced into declaration lanes and screened even when they have nothing to declare, while some individuals bypass screening. Security officials confirm that Sierra Leone enforces a mandatory screening procedure for all arriving passengers due to historical trafficking challenges, including narcotics and contraband.
This policy is aligned with international airport security frameworks. Any claim that certain people avoid screening is being treated as a potential case of individual misconduct, not institutional failure and will be investigated if evidence is provided.
The article further alleges that police and military personnel at the airport entrance extort money from people dropping off passengers. Our investigation found no official reports or verified complaints to support that claim. Security personnel follow strict operational standards and anyone with evidence of wrongdoing is encouraged to report it formally for action. Without verifiable information, authorities cannot address vague or unsubstantiated accusations.
The viral article criticizes multiple immigration and airline document checks as unnecessary. However, our findings show that this procedure is practiced worldwide to ensure passengers travel with valid passports and visas. In some countries, airlines even hire independent verification firms, such as Pathfinder in Nigeria and Ghana, to authenticate travel documents.
The checks protect passengers from denied boarding, prevent airlines from incurring heavy fines and ensure immigration rules are upheld. These procedures are global standards rather than a uniquely Sierra Leonean practice.
The claim questioning the legitimacy of the $25 Securiport fee is also misleading. The fee, which supports airport safety and security systems, is legally established and publicly disclosed. Similar fees exist in airports around the world to support passenger processing and security upgrades.
The article suggests that mandatory shoe removal during screening is outdated. However, airport authorities confirm that the metal detectors used only detect metallic items not narcotics or other non-metallic contraband.
Security agencies have recorded several successful interceptions of illicit substances hidden inside shoes and clothing. Enhanced screening, including shoe removal, reflects global best practices, especially during heightened security periods.
Contrary to the viral claim that the second security check at boarding gates is unnecessary and used for begging, our investigation confirms that this step is not implemented by the Sierra Leone Airports Authority. Instead, it is required by several airlines operating in the country based on their internal security protocols. Gate-side checks are common in many international airports, particularly where airlines assess additional risks.
Perhaps the most serious accusation in the viral article is that harassment and begging are “institutionalized” at the airport. Our investigation found no factual basis for that claim. Authorities highlight that:
- Harassment, bribery and solicitation are criminal offences.
- Daily public announcements warn passengers not to give bribes.
- Airports encourage passengers to report offenders by name for disciplinary or legal action.
Officials stress that individual misconduct does not represent institutional culture and accountability requires specific identification of offenders not general claims.
Based on this investigation, Freetown International Airport operates within globally recognized aviation and security standards. Many of the procedures criticized in the viral article, multiple document checks, secondary screening, shoe removal and mandatory baggage checks are routine in airports across the world.
Where improvements are needed, authorities continue to implement reforms. Importantly, several recent drug and contraband interceptions were made possible due to new, stricter security measures now in place.
Misleading or unverified allegations only undermine national progress and obscure real issues that require attention. This medium therefore urges passengers with genuine complaints to report specific individuals involved in misconduct so that corrective measures can be taken.
The Sierra Leone Airport remains compliant, safe and committed to continuous improvement in the interest of national security and passenger dignity.
