Aviation unions have threatened to withdraw their services from March 31, 2025 over failure to remove Customs Area Comptroller and other officers involved in a recent assault on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Director of Aviation Security at Lagos airport.
The workers, who are also protesting lack of work protocols that are in tandem with global best practices, have, however, given FAAN a seven-day ultimatum to address the matter or face complete shutdown of airport operations across the country.
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 statement jointly signed by Ocheme Aba for NUATE, Comrade Frances Akinjole for ATSSSAN and Abdul Rasaq Saidu for ANAP and addressed to FAAN, warned of impending consequence if the matter is not addressed within the next one week.
They said, “consequential sanctions are in place which guarantees the safety and human rights of FAAN staff, we shall direct all the workers to withdraw from the airports with effect from 31st March, 2025 pending when such protocols are established.
“The recent assault on no less a personality as 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 acceptable remedial actions.”
They had demanded the removal of the Customs officers involved in the assault on FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security, at Lagos airport.
The unions said all branches and state councils throughout Nigeria have been directed to commence mobilisation of all staff in the above respect.
“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.”
