FAAN accuses Customs operatives of blatant abuse of firearms

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of ‘blatant abuse of the privilege of bearing firearms.’

FAAN made the accusation following an altercation that ensued between Customs and AVSEC officers last week Thursday.

In a press statement issued Monday by the FAAN General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu said the Customs officials shoved aside aviation security personnel on duty at gate before breaching security.

The FAAN Spokesperson narrated: “At about 1745hrs on Thursday, January 20, 2022, 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.

“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 while it keeps on working to resolve all its challenges decisively, it urged all stakeholders to respect its “mandate by being of disciplined” and be professional in conduct in the interest of national security and operational safety.