Aviation workers kick as Customs, FAAN security clash

Aviation workers have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to remove the Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over an assault on the Director of Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Igbafe Afegbai.

The workers also called on President Bola Tinubu to redeploy all Customs officers involved in assaulting the FAAN director.

A letter obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday showed that the ultimatum started counting from March 7, 2025. It will elapse on March 21.

The unions threatened rage against what they tagged as excesses and misbehaviours of the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The unions include the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.

They also demanded the reduction of customs personnel across the nation’s airports, especially at the Lagos airport, in compliance with global standards and practices.

In the joint letter signed by their secretaries, the workers accused the customs officers of abusing the retired Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The unions further insisted that if the customs officers are not redeployed within the stipulated 14-day ultimatum, aviation workers may not guarantee industry peace and harmony, particularly within the Lagos airport.

The three unions further called on FAAN to immediately sign a Memorandum of Understanding with all paramilitary agencies at airports, defining their scope, roles, and responsibilities.

“The attention of aviation unions in FAAN has been drawn to yet another assault on the personnel of the organisation by the Nigeria Customs Services, this time a high-level officer. The Director of Aviation Security Services at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

“We wish to make it clear the roles of FAAN in managing passenger and cargo terminals are clearly stated in the act establishing FAAN. The ugly incident that led to the attack on FAAN Director of Aviation Security Services is one too many among the so many assaults being carried out by customs personnel on the staff of the airport.”

When contacted, the victim of the alleged customs humiliation confirmed the development and explained how the customs officers allegedly became over-reaching at the airport.

Afegbai explained that he, alongside some senior staff members at FAAN, had gone to the point of the faceoff to replace a faulty security machine that was taken from Enugu airport on a temporary basis.

He said the customs, however, insisted that the machine was an illegal machine meant for export.

He said all efforts to enlighten the customs officers on the machine were fruitless, as a Deputy Controller of Customs identified simply as Yusuf ordered reinforcement to molest, harass, and also prevent them from installing the machine.

Reacting to the development, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, said both SAHCO and NAHCO (where the incident occured0 are Customs licensed bonded warehouses.

He was silent on the allegation of assault but insisted that the two warehouses remained under the control of the Customs service.

The Customs spokesperson in his statement said, “In line with the World Customs Organisation’s  Safe Framework of Standards, which underscores Customs-to-Customs, Customs-to-Other Government Agencies, and Customs-to-Businesses cooperation, the NCS remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a collaborative working environment.

“This approach is essential for seamless trade facilitation, regulatory compliance, and the overall growth of the national economy.”

He further stated that the service is committed to fostering inter-agency cooperation, ensuring the smooth operation of Customs-controlled areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

“While the service continues to engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen operational protocols and to uphold the collective national interest, it is essential to reiterate that the NAHCO and SAHCO Import & Export Warehouses are licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses operating in full compliance with Section 122 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. As stipulated in Section 127 of the Act, these warehouses remain under the control of the NCS.

“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the service remains committed to fostering inter-agency cooperation and ensuring the smooth operation of Customs-controlled areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”