Aviation unions and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are at daggers drawn at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos over alleged attacks on airport officials by the customs operatives, Daily Trust can report.
The development is breeding fresh inter-agency rivalry among agencies at the airport.
Recall that inter-agency clashes have become a recurring issue between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other agencies operating at the airport.
On Friday, the aviation unions raised concerns over repeated assaults on Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel by NCS operatives, demanding immediate intervention.
In a recent incident, Customs officers allegedly attacked the Director of Aviation Security Services at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), sparking outrage among the workers.
Three unions including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) have issued a 14-day ultimatum for the redeployment of Controller, Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC) of the customs in charge of Pilgrims, and Cargo Terminal (PCT), alongside all officers involved.
The unions, in a joint statement also called on the federal government to redefine Customs’ roles within bonded warehouses in civil aviation, saying there was the need for alignment with global standards.
Additionally, they demanded a reduction in the number of Customs personnel at airports in line with international best practices.
They also urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with paramilitary agencies, saying this would clarify operational scopes and prevent future conflicts.
The unions warned of potential industrial unrest if their demands are not met within the stipulated time frame.
But the Nigeria Customs Service in its reaction through the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada said “A miscommunication regarding equipment movement and seating arrangements resulted in a disagreement between officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and officers of the NCS.”
It however stated that the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) are Customs licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses.
The NCS stated, “While the Service continues to engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen operational protocols and to uphold the collective national interest, it is essential to reiterate that the NAHCO and SAHCO Import & Export Warehouses are licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses operating in full compliance with Section 122 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. As stipulated in Section 127 of the Act, these warehouses remain under the control of the NCS.”
Aviation security analyst, Group Capt. John Ojikutu, rtd, called for the intervention of the National Security Council to solve the recurring problem.
He said, “It’s our negligence for not complying with ICAO Annex 17. 3.1.6. Set up a National Aviation Security Committee and not CIVIL Aviation Security Committee. We’ve been talking about this in the last twenty five years but those in the administration of our government prefer their solutions with Multiple Security Agencies without a Unified Command and Control over the government security agencies working in the Airports.”
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