How Nigeria Customs Officers Breached Lagos Airport Security System – FAAN

Share

…Nigeria Customs says FAAN is exhibiting false sense of superiority

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal and his officers of using force to breach security architecture at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last week Thursday.

FAAN also accused the Customs officers of assaulting Aviation Security officers on duty as well as using force to takeover Gate 3 of the airport.

It stressed that the blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the Nigeria Customs has become a recurrent threat to the safety and security of FAAN staff and its operations.

These were contained in a statement by the Geeral Manager, Public Relations of FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, who said that such security breaches were becoming rampant and must cease.

FAAN in the statement further states; “At about 17.45hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while the AVSEC officers on day duty at Gate 3 were profiling a NAHCO vehicle that wanted to access the Security Restricted Area 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 later shoved aside the AVSEC officer at the gate, forcefully took over the gate and opened the gate 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.

FAAN however said that it would keep on working to resolve all its challenges decisively, but urged all stakeholders to respect its mandate by being disciplined and professional in the interest of national security and operational safety.

Responding to the allegations, the spokesman of the NCS, Joseph Attah, queried FAAN’s right in declaring a gate restricted from Custom personnel in a cargo airport, stressing that the FAAN officials were exhibiting a false sense of superiority.

Attah said; “I have read the statement and it clearly shows that the officials are ignorant of the rules. You can’t restrict a gate to Customs in a cargo airport. What is your intention for doing that, that intention is suspicious?

“Are you creating a route for those who want to smuggle cargo out of the country? And will you also do the job of Customs at that gate?

Attah stressed the need for an engagement between the two agencies for a better understanding of their roles with a view to preventing future occurrence.

 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply