The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reacted to a trending video of some of its officials in a heated argument with a woman at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
In the trending video, the unidentified lady accused the airport staff of demanding N5000 to clear her bags at the airport. The woman could be heard shouting that she was a passenger and wondered why the officials were demanding N5000 from her to clear her bags.
The video has elicited reactions from Nigerians with many slamming the airport staff and accusing them of corruption.
However, in a statement released this morning October 8, FAAN said contrary to initial reports, the woman in question was not a passenger but a cargo agent conducting illegal operations at the airport.
‘’She refused to pay the stipulated charges for the cargo and behaved in an unacceptable manner, damaging equipment and straining our resources. We would also like to clarify that there was no form of molestation by FAAN staff, neither was there any request for a bribe from our staff during the incident. This was simply an act of blackmail. Our staff was simply ensuring that the correct levy was paid.
We urge all cargo agents and members of the public to note that cargo operations should be restricted to designated cargo areas, utilizing proper vehicles, and personnel, and pay the levies. Our cargo policies are designed to ensure adherence to international best practices, prevent damage to airport facilities, and prioritize customer service and safety.
The agency added that it imposes a fine of N5,000.00 (Five Thousand Naira) on non-compliant cargoes for the following reasons:
- Failure to utilize designated cargo terminals.
- Damage to carousels resulting from improper cargo handling.
FAAN mentioned that it remained committed to providing clear guidance on its policies and procedures and advised the public to adhere to the rules guiding airport operations to avoid similar incidents in the future.
