The simmering tension between aviation workers and Nigerian Customs officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has escalated following an alleged assault on a high-ranking Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official. Three aviation unions, representing a significant portion of the airport workforce, have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the removal of the Customs Area Controller at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal and the redeployment of all officers involved in the alleged assault. The ultimatum, which commenced on March 7, 2025, and expires on March 21, 2025, threatens potential disruption to airport operations if the demands are not met. This incident underscores a wider conflict concerning the perceived overreach of Customs officials within the airport and calls into question the delineation of responsibilities between the two agencies.
The core of the dispute centers around the alleged assault on Igbafe Afegbai, FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services. The aviation unions, comprising the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), have condemned the incident as “one too many” in a pattern of alleged harassment and abuse by Customs personnel against FAAN staff. The unions contend that the Customs officers’ actions not only violate established protocols but also disrespect the authority of FAAN within the airport. Furthermore, the unions are demanding a reduction in the number of Customs officers deployed at Nigerian airports, arguing that the current numbers exceed global standards and contribute to unnecessary friction between the two agencies.
The incident that sparked the ultimatum reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over a security machine. Afegbai, accompanied by other FAAN officials, was attempting to install a replacement security machine sourced temporarily from Enugu airport. According to Afegbai, Customs officials interfered, claiming the machine was illegal and intended for export. Despite attempts to explain the situation, the Customs officers, led by a Deputy Controller identified as Yusuf, allegedly escalated the situation, resorting to harassment and preventing the FAAN officials from installing the machine. This confrontation illustrates the ongoing power struggle between the two agencies and the differing interpretations of their respective jurisdictions within the airport.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in its response, has focused on its regulatory authority over the warehouses involved in the incident, namely the NAHCO and SAHCO Import & Export Warehouses. Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer for Customs, emphasized that these warehouses are licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses, operating under the Customs Service Act of 2023 and therefore subject to Customs control. While acknowledging the need for inter-agency cooperation, the Customs statement made no direct mention of the alleged assault on the FAAN director. Instead, the statement reiterated the NCS’s commitment to ensuring smooth operations within Customs-controlled areas and collaborating with stakeholders to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The lack of a direct response to the assault allegation by the Customs Service further fuels the aviation unions’ discontent. The unions’ 14-day ultimatum highlights the urgency of the situation and the potential for disruption if their demands are not met. The unions are calling not only for the removal and redeployment of specific Customs officers but also for a broader review of the relationship between FAAN and the NCS, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each agency within the airport environment. This MoU, the unions argue, is crucial for establishing clear boundaries and preventing future conflicts.
This standoff between aviation workers and Customs officials reveals a deeper systemic issue within the Nigerian aviation sector: the overlapping and sometimes conflicting mandates of different agencies operating within the airport environment. The incident underscores the need for clearer delineation of responsibilities, improved communication, and a more collaborative approach between FAAN and the NCS. The outcome of this 14-day ultimatum will likely have significant implications for the future working relationship between these two crucial agencies and the overall smooth operation of Nigerian airports. The Federal Government’s response will be critical in determining whether the current tensions escalate into further disruption or pave the way for a more harmonious and efficient working environment within the aviation sector.
