Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
AS usual without regard for security protocol or decorum, a custom officer and his entourage forcefully accessed Security Restricted Area (SRA) via gate 3, the Customs Area Comptroller for Hajj and Cargo Terminal threatening terror on Aviation Security Manning the gate.
This incident has become a sad trend at the nation’s airports with armed security imposing their will and violating protocols thereby ridiculing the nation’s security and safety structures at the airports. Customs official turns unruly over delayed flight, destroys airline property
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a reaction to this incident released a statement last week warning all unauthorised personnel to steer off the airside but had not given details.
A current statement issued by FAAN read, “At about 1745hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while the Aviation Security (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 vehicle that was 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 the gate for the Comptroller and his escorts to forcefully access the Security Restricted Area via the gate. Read also: Comptroller General Customs must call officers at MMIA to order!!
“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 we keep on working to resolve all our challenges decisively, we hereby urge all stakeholders to please respect our mandate by being of disciplined and Professional conduct in the interest of national security and operational safety.
