Aviation workers have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to remove the Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over an assault on the Director of Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Igbafe Afegbai.
The workers also called on President Bola Tinubu to redeploy all Customs officers involved in assaulting the FAAN director.
A letter obtained by newsmen showed that the ultimatum started counting from March 7, 2025. It will elapse on March 21.
The unions threatened uncontrollable anger against what they tagged as excesses and misbehaviours of the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The unions include the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
They also demanded the reduction of customs personnel across the nation’s airports, especially at the Lagos airport, in compliance with global standards and practices.
In the joint letter signed by their secretaries, the workers accused the customs officers of abusing the retired Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The unions further insisted that if the customs officers are not redeployed within the stipulated 14-day ultimatum, aviation workers may not guarantee industry peace and harmony, particularly within the Lagos airport.
The three unions further called on FAAN to immediately sign a Memorandum of Understanding with all paramilitary agencies at airports, defining their scope, and roles.
Reacting to the development, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, said both SAHCO and NAHCO, where the incident occurred, are Customs licensed bonded warehouses.
He was silent on the allegation of assault but insisted that the two warehouses remained under the control of the Customs service.
Maiwada further stated that the service is committed to fostering inter-agency cooperation, ensuring the smooth operation of Customs-controlled areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
According to him, 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, adding that the warehouses remain under the control of the NCS, as stipulated in Section 127 of the Act.
Maiwada added that the service remains committed to fostering inter-agency cooperation under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, ensuring the smooth operation of Customs-controlled areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.