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March 6, 2025
Customs officials, claiming they hadn't been notified about the equipment, locked the FAAN security director inside a shed.
A dramatic armed standoff erupted on Thursday, March 6, at the NAHCO Shed of the Hajj/Cargo Terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following a dispute between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The conflict quickly escalated into a prolonged and tense confrontation.
Timeline of Events
The controntation began around 2:30 p.m. when FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services, Afegbai Albert Igbafe, was supervising the installation of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machines—critical tools for enhancing airport security.
SaharaReporters learnt that Igbafe, accompanied by FAAN officials, introduced himself as the Director of FAAN's Aviation Security Services and clearly communicated the purpose of their visit, explaining that the installation of the ETD machines was a routine security upgrade.
However, in a brazen display of incompetence, armed Customs officers on-site, without verifying his claim and identity, locked the director inside the NAHCO Shed, insisting that they had not been notified about the equipment and had no prior clearance for its installation.
In response, Igbafe called for backup, prompting an armed FAAN unit to arrive. The situation escalated further when Customs summoned reinforcements from their Ikeja barracks, creating a volatile standoff that lasted for hours.
Jurisdictional Tensions
Customs officials reportedly stated—not for the first time—that “this is Customs’ airport; we own it, and we can do and undo.”
They argued that the airport falls under their control, a claim FAAN officials dismissed as baseless. “The Nigerian Customs Service is merely a security agency; the airport and its operations are managed and controlled by FAAN,” a FAAN official clarified.
This confrontation highlights a longstanding jurisdictional dispute, with FAAN accusing Customs of routinely disregarding aviation protocols. According to insiders, Customs’ lack of adherence not only undermines operational efficiency but also compromises safety standards at Nigerian airports.
Allegations of Assault
During the standoff, Customs officers allegedly assaulted FAAN personnel who were recording the incident with their mobile devices.
They also attempted to seize and destroy these devices to prevent any documentation of their actions.
They also harassed cargo agents conducting their business, as well as passersby, flogging anyone they found near the scene. Witnesses described the attack as unprovoked and reflective of Customs’ disregard for aviation protocols.
A History of Clashes
This is not the first time tensions have flared between FAAN and Customs. In January 2022, FAAN criticized Customs officers for breaching security protocols at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Similarly, in 2020, Customs officials were accused of bypassing security checks to facilitate illegal activities, including cash smuggling.
Prior to these incidents, in 2015, Nigerian Customs officers attempted to access the airport tarmac without proper accreditation. When stopped, they became unruly and assaulted a FAAN security officer. This altercation took place while International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) officials were inspecting the airport for a potential upgrade.
These recurring clashes highlight broader issues of poor inter-agency collaboration and Customs’ frequent disregard for established aviation regulations.
NAHCO’s Reaction
Sources revealed that the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), which owns the NAHCO Shed where the incident occurred, stated that they were not informed about the installation of the ETD machines, aligning with Customs' claim of inadequate notification.
Thursday’s confrontation underscores the deteriorating relationship between the two agencies and raises urgent concerns about Customs’ respect for aviation protocols. These ongoing jurisdictional conflicts pose significant risks to public safety.