Aviation unions in Nigeria have issued a stern warning that airports across the country will be shut down starting March 31, 2025, if the federal government fails to take action against a customs officer accused of assaulting the Director of Aviation Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The protest is being led by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP). In a joint statement signed by Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole, and Abdul Rasaq Saidu, the unions expressed their frustration over repeated cases of harassment and physical attacks on FAAN staff by security personnel.
“Considering the frequency and severity of assaults on FAAN employees, it has become imperative to demand a clear framework ensuring mutual respect between FAAN personnel and security agencies operating at airports,” the unions stated.
The unions also urged the government to reduce the number of customs officers deployed at airports, aligning with global aviation standards.
“To prevent further incidents, we insist on a reassessment of the number of customs officers operating in civil aviation, as practiced in other parts of the world,” the statement added.
Unless immediate corrective measures are taken, the unions have vowed to halt airport operations across the country.
“We shall direct all aviation workers to withdraw from the airports starting March 31, 2025, unless necessary protocols are put in place to safeguard the rights and safety of FAAN staff,” they warned.
Reacting to the allegations, Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada attributed the dispute to a miscommunication regarding the movement of equipment and seating arrangements between FAAN officials and customs officers.
