The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused officers of the Nigeria Customs Service of breaching the security system at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
FAAN spokesperson, Henrietta Yakubu issued a statement on Monday, alleging that the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal and his officers assaulted Aviation Security officers on Thursday and forcefully took over Gate 3 of the airport.
According to her, such security breaches were becoming recurrent and must cease.
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“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,” the statement said.
“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.
“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 pledging to keep working to resolve all its challenges decisively, FAAN appealed to all stakeholders to respect its mandate by being disciplined and professional in the interest of national security and operational safety.
