Chaos At Lagos Airport As Customs and FAAN Security Face Off With Guns Drawn

Chaos At Lagos Airport As Customs and FAAN Security Face Off With Guns Drawn

A heated confrontation occurred on Thursday at the NAHCO Shed of the Hajj/Cargo Terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as officials from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) clashed over an installation dispute…….READ MORE

The altercation began around 2:30 PM when FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services, Afegbai Albert Igbafe, was overseeing the setup of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machines at the Ajantako Terminal. Customs officers, claiming they had not been properly informed about the installation, locked Igbafe inside a shed.

In response, FAAN security operatives arrived armed, prompting Customs officers to call for reinforcements from their Ikeja barracks. The standoff intensified as both sides held their positions for hours.

A FAAN official dismissed Customs’ claim of controlling the airport, emphasizing that FAAN is solely responsible for managing airport operations. The conflict reflects an ongoing jurisdictional battle between the two agencies, with FAAN accusing Customs of consistently violating aviation regulations.

Eyewitnesses also reported that Customs officers assaulted FAAN personnel who attempted to record the incident on their mobile phones.

History of Tensions Between FAAN and Customs

Disputes between FAAN and Customs are not new. Similar incidents include:

• January 2022: FAAN publicly accused Customs of forcefully entering a restricted airport area.
• 2020: Customs officials were alleged to have bypassed security checks to smuggle large sums of money.
• 2015: Customs personnel reportedly attempted unauthorized access to the tarmac, leading to a clash with FAAN security.

NAHCO Backs Customs Over Lack of Notification

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), which owns the NAHCO Shed, supported Customs’ stance, stating they were not adequately informed about the ETD machine installation.

This latest incident highlights a deteriorating relationship between the two agencies and raises concerns about security breaches at the airport. Observers warn that ongoing power struggles between FAAN and Customs pose serious risks to aviation safety.