Aviation unions have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the removal of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Area Controller at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The demand follows an alleged assault on the Director of Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ,FAAN, Igbafe Afegbai, by customs officers.
The unions, which include the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, also called for the redeployment of all customs officers involved in the incident.
The ultimatum, which began on March 7, 2025, is set to expire on March 21.
The workers warned of potential disruptions within the aviation industry, particularly at Lagos airport, if the matter is not addressed.
They also demanded a reduction in the number of customs personnel at airports nationwide, especially in Lagos, to comply with international standards.
In a joint letter, the unions condemned the behavior of customs officers, accusing them of repeatedly abusing FAAN staff.
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The letter detailed the incident where customs officers allegedly harassed and prevented Afegbai and his team from installing a faulty security machine at the airport.
Afegbai confirmed the incident, explaining that he and senior FAAN staff were attempting to replace a faulty machine, temporarily taken from Enugu Airport, when customs officers wrongly labeled it as illegal.
Despite efforts to clarify the situation, customs officials, led by a Deputy Controller named Yusuf, reportedly escalated the confrontation, leading to the assault.
In response to the incident, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed that the SAHCO and NAHCO warehouses, where the incident occurred, are licensed customs bonded warehouses.
However, he did not directly address the assault allegations. Instead, he reiterated the NCS’s commitment to promoting inter-agency cooperation and maintaining smooth operations at customs-controlled areas.
Maiwada emphasized that the NCS remains focused on fostering collaboration with other agencies and ensuring regulatory compliance in line with international standards.
He also reiterated that the warehouses operate fully under the control of the NCS, in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Crediblenewsng.com
