FAAN Bans Two Immigration Officers From Airport Over Passenger Extortion

THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has banned two immigration officers from operating in any airport in the country.

The officers were accused of engaging in extortion of passengers.

The ban of the two is to serve as a deterrent to other officers who engage in unprofessional conduct.

Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs. Faithful Hope –Ivbaze, said the Aviation Security Unit set up a team to investigate the allegation by the mother of a 14year –old- girl, traveling on Lufthansa Airline, that two officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service extorted the sum of eight thousand Naira from her daughter.

The incident followed an allegation on Twitter on the 19th of February 2022.

According to Hope-Ivbaze, “Upon investigation, the allegation turned out to be true, as the officers involved were identified with the help of footage on our CCTV facility, and the cooperation from the Nigerian Immigration Service.

“Consequently, the officers were made to refund the exact amount collected from the passenger.

“Their On Duty Cards were also withdrawn permanently, and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian airport, to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We would like to commend the mother of the child, who has confirmed receipt of the money, for deeming it fit to escalate the case, and assisting us tremendously in the course of our investigation.

“Also, we would like to express our appreciation to the Comptroller of Immigration, MMA and her team for her cooperation and support in addressing this issue.

“The authority will continue to identify and sanction any airport official including FAAN officials found to be extorting passengers or perpetuating any act of illegality at our airports.”