Fracas between FAAN and CUSTOM ...both team agree for improved airport security

Following the fracas between the Aviation Security and Customs officials stationed at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on the 2nd of June, 2015, the Chief executives of both organizations, Dikko Inde Abdullahi and Engr Saleh Dunoma expressed regrets over the incidence and agreed to work together to avoid future occurrence.
The facts of the incidence was reviewed and resolved to maintain periodic consultations to facilitate airport security in a joint meeting held in Abuja on the 9th of June, 2015.

In a release signed by both Yakubu Dati, General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Wale Adeniyi, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, both organizations agreed that:

• The Comptroller General of Customs will investigate the involvement of Customs Officers in the fracas and will take appropriate punitive action if they are found guilty.

• The Comptroller-General of Customs will review current deployments at MMIA, to ensure that only officers who meet the requirements of civility are retained.

• FAAN will not restrict the movement of Customs Officers deployed at the airport, but will continue to manage access control to ensure airport security in line with global standards.

• Operations in the Airports will be guided by strict adherence to processes and procedures established by the Law.
• Current conflicts in the enabling Acts of the two organizations will be harmonized through a joint legal committee in line with International Best Practice.

It would be recalled that Men of the Department of Customs and Excise stationed at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on June 2, 2015, manhandled four aviation security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, leading to serious injuries to these officials, press release from the Airport Authority confirmed.

The release affirmed that two Customs officials attempted to gain entry onto the air side of the airport without any form of identification, in breach of security regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and were prevented from doing so by Aviation Security officials. The Customs men then resorted to beating the aviation security officials in full public glare, leading to brief disruption of operations in the immediate vicinity.

The affected Avsec staffs it said were taken to the Aviation Clinic near the airport for treatment.