…accuses Customs of blatant abuse of privilege
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has condemned the breach of airport security, sequel to activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
A statement by FAAN’s general manager, corporate affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, decried the abuse of gun-wielding officers of customs, saying the recurrent abuse of privileges put the safety and security of staff carrying out their activities lawfully at risk.
“At about 1745hrs 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 (SRA) via gate 3, the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal suddenly emerged and pulled off behind the NAHCO 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 it for the comptroller and his escorts to forcefully access the area via the gate.
“While accessing the gate, the armed escorts of the comptroller threatened to beat up the AVSEC officers at the gate if they dare resist their assault and breach of security.
“This blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the NCS has become a recurrent threat to the safety and security of our staff and our operations.
“While we keep on working to resolve all our challenges decisively, we hereby urge all stakeholders to, please, respect our mandate by being disciplined and professional in their conduct, in the interest of national security and operational safety,” the statement added.
