The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday announced that it has permanently banned two officers from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) from airport jobs for stealing money from a 14-year-old passenger at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
In a press statement, the agency said the officers had refunded the stolen money and their on-duty cards withdrawn.
On February 19, 2022, the mother of the minor who goes by the name, Imoteda, said on Twitter, that her child was extorted and left with no money to travel abroad.
She said: “My 14-year-old daughter is travelling by herself.
Immigration took all her money before they let her go. They took money from a 14-year-old. Didn’t even leave her with one kobo or N1,000 so she can buy food while she waits. How wicked?
“I am so angry. A child! Why are you stealing money from a child! And you took all of it and didn’t let her call her mother?
“Whoever was involved, you will die in penury! Your joy will turn to ashes! You will plant seeds and harvest thorns that will tear your flesh.”
FAAN, however, reacted to the incident and said the officers have been caught and have refunded the money. Their on-duty cards have also been withdrawn.
“With respect to the case of a 14-year-old girl extorted by two Immigration officers at the Lagos Airport, FAAN’s Aviation Security team, after reviewing the CCTV footage was able to identify the culprits.
“Consequently, the officers were made to refund the exact amount collected from the passenger. Their On Duty Cards were withdrawn permanently and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian airports.
“We would like to commend the mother of the child, who escalated the case and assisted immensely in the course of our investigation,” FAAN said.
THISDAY
