Aviation unions have issued a warning that airports across the country may be shut down from March 31 if disciplinary action is not taken against a customs officer accused of assaulting the Director of Aviation Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
In a joint statement on Monday, union leaders Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole, and Abdul Rasaq Saidu—representing the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals—condemned the repeated cases of physical assault on FAAN personnel. They emphasized that such incidents would no longer be tolerated.
The unions also urged the government to scale down the presence of customs officers at airports in alignment with international aviation standards.
The statement read: “Given the continuous physical and psychological attacks on FAAN staff and management, with no resolution in sight, our unions are left with no choice but to insist on a clear framework ensuring mutual respect between FAAN employees and security agencies operating at the airports.
“To guarantee the safety and rights of FAAN staff, we will direct workers to withdraw from airport operations starting March 31, 2025, unless proper protocols are established to prevent further incidents.
“The latest assault on the Director of Aviation Security is particularly unacceptable. We hope our demands are met promptly to avoid the industrial action that will follow if no appropriate measures are taken.”
However, Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada attributed the conflict between FAAN officials and customs officers to a miscommunication regarding equipment movement and seating arrangements.