Aviation unions threaten nationwide airport shutdown over assault on FAAN official

Aviation unions in Nigeria have announced plans to shut down airports nationwide starting March 31, in protest against the failure to remove a customs officer accused of assaulting the Director of Aviation Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

In a joint statement, signed by Ocheme Aba (NUATE), Frances Akinjole (ATSSSAN), and Abdul Rasaq Saidu (ANAP), the unions condemned repeated physical assaults on FAAN staff, vowing to no longer tolerate such incidents.

The unions also urged the government to reduce the number of customs officers operating within the aviation sector to align with global best practices.

The statement reads:

“Considering the enormity and frequency of physical and psychological assault on the staff and management personnel of FAAN, of which there is no end in sight, we are compelled to inform the management of the unwavering determination of our unions to cause the establishment of a clear framework of mutual respect among FAAN staff and the security agencies operating at the airports.

“Consequential sanctions are in place which guarantee the safety and human rights of FAAN staff. We shall direct all the workers to withdraw from the airports with effect from March 31, 2025, pending when such protocols are established.

“The recent assault on no less a personality than the Director of Aviation Security of FAAN is one too many, which leaves a taste too bitter to swallow. It is our sincere hope that our demand in the above respect is well met to avoid the industrial conflagration that will ensue in the absence of acceptable remedial actions.”

In response, Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for Customs, stated in a recent release that the disagreement between FAAN officials and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) stemmed from a miscommunication over equipment movement and seating arrangements.