The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused the Customs Area Comptroller at the Murtala Muhammad Airport Area Command of breaching airport security.
The agency disclosed this in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu.
She said at about 1745hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while the aviation security (AVSEC) officers on day duty at Gate 3 were profiling a vehicle trying to access the Security Restricted Area (SRA) via gate 3, the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal suddenly emerged.
The statement said,”The Comptroller “pulled off behind the NAHCO vehicle that was being attended to and one CSC Agunbiade, a customs officer on the Area Comptroller’s entourage later shoved aside the AVSEC Officer at the gate.”
FAAN stated that in the process, the officers in the entourage of the Comptroller 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.
In its response, Customs spokesperson, Mr. Joseph Attah described the FAAN’s allegation as “funny.”
“How can they declare a gate restricted to customs? Their statement shows gross ignorance of the law.
“Is there any attempt to preserve a particular gate without customs passing through it?”
