Customs’ Aggression at Airports Threatens Security
By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Kanempress News
11th March 2025
In Nigeria, tensions between Customs officers and Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel have been escalating, jeopardizing the safety of airport operations. A recent standoff on March 6, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, revealed the dangers of unchecked aggression.
The incident began when Customs officers locked the Director of Aviation Security, Afegbai Albert Igbafe, inside a shed, citing a lack of prior notification for a security process. This sparked a tense confrontation, leading to armed reinforcements and a standoff that lasted hours.
This clash is just the latest in a series of violent encounters between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and AVSEC, with past incidents raising concerns over the safety of passengers and airport staff.
The situation has worsened since the government armed FAAN AVSEC personnel, resulting in multiple armed groups operating in the same space, heightening the risk of fatal confrontations.
Customs’ claim that they control the airport, disregarding the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) security mandate, adds fuel to the fire.
This miscommunication between agencies, and the lack of accountability for past actions, has sparked anger within aviation unions. They are now demanding action to prevent future incidents, calling for a reduction in armed personnel and clearer roles for each agency
