January 24, (THEWILL) – There was confusion amongst securing agents at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos recently, when tight security at a strategic area of the airport was said to have been breached by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers.
The officers who were escorting their Comptroller, allegedly opened a security gate forcefully for their boss.
Confirming the security breach, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) frowned at the action, lamenting that the blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the NCS has become a recurrent threat to the safety and security of their staff and operations.
Spokeswoman for FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu in a statement issued on Monday, stated that “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.”
Mrs Yakubu pointed out that, apart from breaching security checks at the gates, customs officers in the entourage of the comptroller shoved aside the Aviation Security, AVSEC Officer at the gate, forcefully took over the gate and opened the gate for the Comptroller and his escorts to access the Security Restricted Area (SRA) via the gate.
Explaining further, Yakubu added that “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.
The statement further added that, “this blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has become a recurrent threat to the Safety and Security of its Staff and operations.
FAAN however, assured that the Authority will keep on working to resolve all their challenges decisively and urge all stakeholders to respect its mandate, be disciplined and Professional in the interest of national security and operational safety.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
