How Nigerian Customs Officials breach security protocol at airports, FAAN laments

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has accused the operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service of breaching security protocol at the nation’s airports.

In a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the Authority said the NCS has blatantly abused its privilege of bearing firearms, as it has become a recurrent threat to the safety and security of its (FFAN’s) staff and its operations at the airports.   

Reporting one of such incidents, the Authority narrated how operatives of the NCS attached with the Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo terminal of the Lagos airport forcefully gained access to a restricted area by wielding their guns in threat to AVSEC officials.

“At about 1745hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while the AVSEC officers on day duty at Gate 3 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport were profiling a NAHCO vehicle that wanted to access the Security Restricted Area (SRA) via gate 3, the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal suddenly emerged  and pulled off behind the NAHCO vehicle  that was being  attended  to and CSC Agunbiade, a customs officer on the Area Comptroller’s entourage, shoved aside  the AVSEC Officer at the gate, and forcefully took over the gate and opened it for the Comptroller  and his escorts  to forcefully  access the Security Restricted Area via the gate.”

“While accessing the gate, the armed escorts to the Comptroller threatened to beat up the AVSEC officers at the gate if they dare resist their assault and breach of security.

“This blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the NCS has become a recurrent threat to the Safety and Security of our Staff and our operations.

“While we keep on working to resolve all our challenges decisively, we hereby urge all stakeholders to please respect our mandate by being of disciplined and Professional conduct in the interest of national security and operational safety.”