FAAN, spokesperson, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria( FAAN) yesterday announced that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service breached the security system at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,
According to statement released and signed by FAAN, spokesperson, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, that some officials of NCS at Hajj/Cargo terminal, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Command forcefully opened the security gate at the cargo terminal.
The statement further said that the Customs personnel shoved aside aviation security personnel on duty at the gate before carrying out the breach.
The incident, according to her, yhappened under the watch of the Comptroller of the Command, Dan Galadima, who was in his car when the incident occurred.
The statement further reads: “Attached to him about 17:45hrs on Thursday, Jan. 20, while the 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.
“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,” FAAN alleged.
The airport authority however noted that personnel of the NCS, who bear arms, are in the habit of flagrant disobedience to security measures in the airport with threat to deal with AvSec personnel who are not armed.
“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,” FAAN said.
The airport authority however called on stakeholders in the airport environment to obey aviation security regulations even as it resolves existing challenges.
“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.”
