Due to an attack on Igbafe Afegbai, the Director of Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, aviation workers have given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to remove the Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service from the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Additionally, the workers demanded that President Bola Tinubu redeploy all of the customs officers who had attacked the FAAN director.
According to a document that The Intercept was able to get on Sunday, the ultimatum began to count on March 7, 2025, and the expiration date is March 21.
The unions vowed to take action against the Nigeria Customs Service officials for what they saw to be excesses and misconduct.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria are among the unions.
In accordance with international norms and practices, they also called for the decrease of customs officers at all of the country’s airports, particularly at the Lagos airport.
The workers accused the customs officials of mistreating the former Assistant Commissioner of Police in a joint letter signed by their secretaries.
The unions further argued that aviation workers would not be able to ensure industry peace and harmony, especially at the Lagos airport, if the customs officials were not redeployed within the stipulated 14 days.
The three unions also demanded that FAAN sign a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the duties, responsibilities, and scope of all paramilitary agencies at airports right now.
“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 temporarily.
READ ALSO: Jigawa LG Provides Sallah Clothes for 600 Orphans
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.
Both SAHCO and NAHCO, the locations of the incident, are Customs-licensed bonded warehouses, according to Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, who responded to the situation.
He urged that the Customs department maintain custody of the two warehouses but said nothing in response to the assault accusation.
READ MORE: BREAKING: Keyamo Speaks on Ogboru’s Return to APC
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.”
