A tense standoff erupted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, when officials from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) clashed over a security matter. The incident, which took place at the NAHCO Shed of the Hajj/Cargo Terminal, led to a dramatic and heated confrontation that lasted for hours.
The conflict began at around 2:30 p.m. when Afegbai Albert Igbafe, the FAAN Director of Aviation Security Services, was supervising the installation of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machines. Customs officials, who had not been informed about the installation of the machines, took immediate action by locking the FAAN security director inside a shed.
According to sources, the Customs officers claimed they were not notified about the installation of the ETD equipment. In response, Igbafe called for backup, prompting an armed FAAN unit to arrive at the scene. The situation quickly escalated when Customs officers summoned reinforcements from their base in Ikeja, further intensifying the standoff.
The clash was not just a dispute over protocol but highlighted a longstanding power struggle between the two agencies. Sources said that during the confrontation, Customs officers argued that they had control over the airport, a claim that FAAN officials firmly rejected. “The Nigerian Customs Service is merely a security agency. The airport and its operations are managed and controlled by FAAN,” one FAAN official reportedly stated.
This incident is just the latest in a series of tensions between the two agencies. The disagreement is rooted in a long-standing jurisdictional dispute, where FAAN accuses Customs of routinely ignoring aviation protocols, creating unnecessary friction and disruption at airports across the country.
One source added that the incident was especially troubling because Customs officers allegedly assaulted FAAN personnel who were recording the scene with their mobile devices. The assault was reportedly unprovoked and only further highlighted Customs’ apparent disregard for aviation rules and regulations.
The roots of this conflict can be traced back to several similar incidents in the past. In January 2022, FAAN and the NCS exchanged accusations over an incident in which Customs officers reportedly gained access to a restricted area of the airport without proper authorization. FAAN officials claimed that Customs officers had forced their way into a restricted zone, while the Customs Service argued that the incident reflected a lack of understanding of its duties.
Earlier, in 2020, Customs officials were accused of bypassing airport security checks to facilitate the illegal movement of cash. The Nigerian Customs Service had reportedly intercepted over $8 million in cash at the airport, which was hidden in several bags and moved through the tarmac without undergoing the required security checks.
These repeated clashes raise serious concerns about the operational effectiveness of both agencies, especially in light of the crucial role they play in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and cargo at the airport. Sources have noted that Customs’ failure to adhere to aviation protocols often disrupts the smooth operation of airport activities and compromises safety standards.
There are also concerns about the broader implications of these ongoing disputes for airport security in Nigeria. For example, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), which operates the NAHCO Shed where the incident occurred, reportedly aligned itself with Customs’ claim that they were not properly notified about the ETD installation. This has added another layer of complexity to the situation, further complicating an already tense relationship between the two agencies.
The problem of jurisdictional conflicts between FAAN and Customs is not a new one. A similar clash occurred in 2015 when Customs officers attempted to access the airport tarmac without proper accreditation. When they were stopped by FAAN security, they became unruly, and an altercation ensued, with a FAAN officer reportedly assaulted in the process. This happened just as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was inspecting the airport for a possible upgrade.
These incidents raise important questions about the coordination and cooperation between security agencies at Nigeria’s airports. Poor inter-agency collaboration, lack of clear communication, and frequent disregard for established procedures are significant issues that need urgent attention, particularly given the vital role airports play in national security and economic development.
The latest incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, coming on the heels of previous clashes, underscores the deteriorating relationship between Customs and FAAN. While both agencies are vital to the smooth running of airport operations, their ongoing power struggles pose a serious risk to public safety and could jeopardize the efficiency of airport services.
The Nigerian aviation industry has faced significant challenges over the years, from outdated infrastructure to security lapses. Incidents like these further damage public trust in the ability of Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety and security of travelers and goods. Experts believe that unless both agencies are able to resolve their differences and improve their working relationship, such confrontations will continue, undermining efforts to improve the country’s aviation sector.
In the meantime, the conflict at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing Nigeria’s aviation sector. It also highlights the need for stronger communication, better training, and greater respect for established protocols to ensure the safety and security of passengers and personnel alike.
As the situation develops, many are hoping that this latest clash will prompt a serious review of the working relationship between FAAN and the NCS, leading to greater collaboration and improved airport security practices across the country.
