Aviation unions in Nigeria have vowed to halt airport operations nationwide beginning March 31, 2025, following an alleged attack on a senior FAAN official by a customs officer.
In a joint statement, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) denounced the incident.
The union leaders, Ocheme Aba, Frances Akinjole, and Abdul Rasaq Saidu, declared that they would no longer accept repeated assaults on FAAN staff.
The unions called for an immediate reduction in the number of customs officers stationed at airports, arguing that their presence should be limited in line with global aviation standards.
Highlighting the growing concerns over attacks on FAAN personnel, the unions insisted that a clear policy must be implemented to ensure the safety and dignity of airport workers.
They stated that unless such measures were put in place, workers would withdraw from their duties starting March 31.
Describing the assault on FAAN’s aviation security director as intolerable, the unions warned that failure to address their demands would lead to severe industrial actions.
However, Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada clarified that the disagreement stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the movement of equipment and seating arrangements between FAAN and customs officials.