Victor Ezeja
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed an allegation raised by a woman who twitted that two officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service extorted the sum of N 8,000 from her 14-year-old daughter at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on February 19, 2022.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Friday March 18, signed by Faithful Hope-Ivbaze (Mrs.) Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN.
The woman who goes by the Twitter name Ratchet Rayne @Imoteda, had twitted thus:
Join our WhatsApp Channel“My 14-year-old daughter, FOURTEEN, is traveling by herself. Immigration took ALL her money before they let her go. They took money from a fucking 14 year. Didn’t even leave her with 1kobo or 1 thousand naira so she can buy food while she waits. How WICKED!!! @FAAN Official”
Reacting to that, FAAN stated that upon getting the information, deployed its Aviation Security officers who conducted investigations into the matter and found it to be true.
It further stated that through cooperation of the Immigration Service, the officers involved were identified and made to refund the money to mother of the girl who has subsequently confirmed reception of it.
It further stated that the officers involved have been banned from working in any Nigerian airport to serve as deterent to others, with their on-duty cards withdrawn from them.
The statement reads, “Following a tweeted allegation on the 19th of February 2022 by the mother of a 14 year old girl travelling on Lufthansa Airline that two officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service extorted the sum of eight thousand naira from her daughter, a team of FAAN Aviation Security officers were commissioned to investigate the allegation.
“Upon investigation, they found the allegation to be true, as the officers involved were identified with the help of footages 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“Their On Duty Cards were also withdrawn permanently, and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian airport, to serve as deterent to others.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.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
