Aviation workers have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the removal of the Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
This follows an alleged assault on the Director of Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Igbafe Afegbai.
The workers have also called on President Bola Tinubu to redeploy all customs officers involved in the incident.
A letter obtained by The Punch on Sunday revealed that the ultimatum, which commenced on March 7, 2025, will expire on March 21, 2025.
Three aviation unions—the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals—have condemned the actions of the customs officers.
They have warned of possible industrial action if their demands are not met.
In their joint letter, signed by their secretaries, the unions accused the customs officers of misconduct and excessive use of power.
They also demanded a reduction in the number of customs personnel at the nation’s airports, particularly at Lagos airport, in line with global aviation standards.
The unions insisted that if the customs officers are not redeployed within the stipulated 14-day ultimatum, they cannot guarantee industrial harmony at the Lagos airport.
Additionally, they urged FAAN to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with all paramilitary agencies operating in airports, clearly defining their roles and responsibilities.
“The attention of aviation unions in FAAN has been drawn to yet another assault on the personnel of the organisation by the Nigeria Customs Service, this time a high-level officer—the Director of Aviation Security Services at the Murtala Muhammed Airport,” the letter stated.
They further emphasized that FAAN’s mandate in managing passenger and cargo terminals is clearly outlined in its establishment act and decried the repeated harassment of its personnel by customs officers.
The victim of the alleged assault, Afegbai, confirmed the incident. He explained that he and some senior FAAN staff were at the scene to replace a faulty security machine that had been temporarily relocated from Enugu airport.
However, customs officers allegedly insisted that the machine was illegal and intended for export.
Despite efforts to clarify the issue, a Deputy Controller of Customs, identified simply as Yusuf, reportedly ordered reinforcement to prevent the installation of the machine, leading to the altercation.
Reacting to the allegations, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, acknowledged the incident but did not address the assault claims directly.
He reiterated that SAHCO and NAHCO, where the confrontation occurred, are licensed customs bonded warehouses under the agency’s control.
Maiwada emphasized that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to inter-agency cooperation and regulatory compliance, ensuring smooth operations at customs-controlled areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also reaffirmed that NAHCO and SAHCO warehouses operate in full compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and will remain under the control of customs as mandated by law.
