Nosa Aituamen
Aviation unions in the industry have called on the management of the Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take immediate action to address the rampant physical and psychological assault on its staff by Customs officers at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
In a letter dated March 7, 2025, and addressed to the managing Director FAAN, with the title: ‘Enough of Customs Officers’ Assault on FAAN Staff at MMIA’, the unions demanded that the management establish a clear framework of mutual respect among FAAN staff and security agencies operating at the airports.
The letter signed by the General Secretaries of the National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE, comrade Ocheme Aba, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, ANAP, Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, comrade Frances Akinjole note that, despite the expiration of the ultimatum Monday, no response or remedial action has been taken.
The unions have given FAAN management an ultimatum to establish clear work protocols that guarantee the safety and human rights of FAAN staff.
As failure to do so will result in a withdrawal of all workers from the airports, effective March 31, 2025.
The union leaders say the recent assault on the Director of Aviation Security at FAAN is the latest in a long string of incidents, and the unions have had enough.
The letter notes, “We cannot continue to tolerate this level of disrespect and violence towards our members”.
In the meantime, the unions have directed their branches and state councils throughout Nigeria to commence mobilization of all staff to take part in the planned withdrawal.
The leadership of the unions say, they are determined to ensure that FAAN staff are treated with dignity and respect, and will not hesitate to take further action if their demands are not met.