• Login
  • Register
Nairametrics
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
Nairametrics
No Result
View All Result
Home Sectors Hospitality & Travel

How government agencies extort international passengers in Lagos, Abuja airports

Op-Ed Contributor by Op-Ed Contributor
June 17, 2021
in Hospitality & Travel, Spotlight
Airline war: Air Peace, Azman others battle over passengers’ loyalty with ticket upgrade, gifts
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Although one of the promises of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was to curb corruption across the country, it appears that some of the Federal Government’s agencies (Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Customs) are not on the same page with the President.

Some of these men, who are stationed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, have continued to perpetrate ignoble acts tantamount to corruption, unabated. Extortion, demanding bribes or handouts from passengers are rife at various points at the airports, whether on arrival or while departing.

READ: FG declares 27 foreigners, 63 Nigerians wanted for Covid-19 travel violation

RelatedStories

New Nigeria-UAE BASA unlocks full UAE Airport access for Nigerian airlines – Festus Keyamo 

FAAN launches “Operation Air Clean” to improve passenger experience at MMIA and GAT 

December 5, 2024
Emirates Airlines

Emirates Airlines resumes Nigeria operations as first flight since 2022 lands at MMIA

October 2, 2024

What passengers are saying

A civil engineer, Olaoluwa Ajibade, who narrated his experience while travelling to Turkey via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, explained that the bold nature of harassment by officials of the agencies in their quest for money and other valuables from passengers was a disgrace to the nation.

He said, “I was embarrassed when I saw officials of NIS and NDLEA demanding bribes from foreigners and Nigerians before allowing them go through the checkpoints.

Some of them did not check the luggage at all because of the tip, while some of us who refused to bribe them were unnecessarily delayed. It is saddening to see these men bringing shame to this great country.”

READ: Dubai airport reports 70% dip in passenger traffic in 2020

Another passenger, Leke Biobaku, also narrated his experience, when he was travelling out of the country recently. After he had left the first checkpoint at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, he was confronted by another set of Police, NDLEA, Immigration, and Customs officers who had set up another “stop and search,” to extort money from travellers.

“The first set demanded bribe humorously, but the second set wanted money from me and they wanted it fast. It was alarming when they demanded foreign currency because they found I was travelling to Atlanta, Georgia, United States. When I told them I didn’t have dollars to part with, they demanded valuables and I gave them a wristwatch because my legs were aching.

A man by my side was made to go through rigorous checks, probably because he had nothing to part with. The mobile policeman told him to part with his wristwatch that he would buy another one when he got to his destination, but he refused.

As you manage to beat the second ‘toll’ point, you begin the process of checking-in your luggage. That also comes with another demand for bribes. One hefty man who checked my luggage stopped midway to demand that I tip him. I told him I had no money on me. His countenance changed immediately when he saw I was not ready to give anything,” Biobaku narrated.

Back story

Extortion, especially across International airports in the country, is a menace that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation for decades.

When President Buhari took over office in 2015, several Nigerians, both at home and abroad, heaved a sigh of relief, as the President assured the nation that his administration would have zero tolerance for such behaviour.

Many had hoped that an end had come to the menace at the international airports but the reverse is the case as some of the law enforcement officers have further constituted an international embarrassment to Nigeria.

The case of Nick Schifrin, a reporter with NPR, a US-based media outlet, was an embarrassment that remains fresh in the memory of Nigerians. In January 2016, Schifrin was sent to Nigeria by his company to investigate the country’s notorious culture of corruption, and he had a lot to write about at the point of entry.

NRP stated that he went to Nigeria to cover the country’s notorious culture of corruption, and he was immediately hit up for a bribe by the man behind the Lagos airport X-ray machine, then by a police officer outside the airport and by a soldier on the road from the airport. As Nick said, corruption isn’t just an annoyance and a drag on the economy; it can have tragic consequences.

Bottomline

On June 10, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari assured Nigerians that anyone found guilty of corruption in his administration would be eased out quickly, according to Nairametrics. Whether the President will keep to his promise or not, only time will tell.


Follow us for Breaking News and Market Intelligence.
Tags: bribesExtortionMMIANnamdi Azikwe International Airport
Op-Ed Contributor

Op-Ed Contributor

Nairametrics frequently publishes articles from experts such as financial analysts, economists, researchers and investors. We also feature articles from guest writers and bloggers who wish to push their views and opinions through our platform. To get your articles on Nairametrics, kindly send an email to info@nairametrics.com and we will publish it within 24 hours of approval by our editorial team.

Related Posts

New Nigeria-UAE BASA unlocks full UAE Airport access for Nigerian airlines – Festus Keyamo 
Aviation

FAAN launches “Operation Air Clean” to improve passenger experience at MMIA and GAT 

December 5, 2024
Emirates Airlines
Aviation

Emirates Airlines resumes Nigeria operations as first flight since 2022 lands at MMIA

October 2, 2024
FAAN
Aviation

FAAN introduces armed security outfit for international airports nationwide 

June 25, 2024
FG suspends airline operations from Turkey into Nigeria, Here is reason Turkish Airlines was allowed to land in Abuja, Coronavirus: Travellers stranded as Turkish Airlines cancels all scheduled flights to Nigeria, Turkish Airlines offers to refund paid tickets of cancelled flights
Aviation

Turkish Airlines may face sanctions over mistreatment of Nigerian passengers 

May 23, 2024
NDLEA
Business News

NDLEA smashes international drug syndicate, seizes suitcases of ‘loud’ in MMIA, Lagos

May 6, 2024
NDLEA
Crime and Insecurity

NDLEA nabs India- bound passenger choked by 80 wraps of cocaine in MMIA, Lagos

April 7, 2024
Next Post
Junior health workers to begin 7 day strike on Monday

Nigeria’s Healthcare cost gallop past 15%, highest on record

Comments 3

  1. Fidelis Osayimwense Obasuyi. says:
    June 18, 2021 at 12:53 am

    The first reason Nigeria should be divided is this major Virus “Corruptions”.The consequences of corruption that causes so many actrocities and confusions in the so called Nigeria society and among the members of Nigeria government circles.Through this Viruse insecurity planned and grow that over powered the Federal government of Nigeria.The Fulani’s are pretending to tell the World that they can cure the Virus but they are the people who corrupted mostly in Nigeria government by practicing Nepotism system of government and oppressing other Tribes with their Religion.

    Reply
  2. India mike mike says:
    June 18, 2021 at 10:56 am

    Please when is Emirates flight suspension we be lifted for those who want to travel to Dubai

    Reply
  3. Lee Buchschacher says:
    April 30, 2022 at 12:42 am

    I was told by a friend of mine that because she owed a friend money; she couldn’t leave Nigeria. That her friend would complain to the local police who would notify airport police that my friend was leaving the country to avoid paying a debt. My question, is this really done?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Emple
nlng
first bank
Zenth Bank








DUNS

Recent News

  • BREAKING: FCCPC to arraign MultiChoice CEO, Pay TV Directors for allegedly Impeding Investigation
  • Lagos to host Africa’s first Stablecoin Conference – Nigeria Stablecoin Summit driving adoption of a borderless digital economy  
  • Customs intercepts N3.6 billion worth of donkey skin meant for illegal export in Owerri 

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

Nigerian banks lose N42.6 billion to fraud in Q2 2024, surpassing full-year 2023 record

BREAKING: FCCPC to arraign MultiChoice CEO, Pay TV Directors for allegedly Impeding Investigation

June 24, 2025
Lagos to host Africa’s first Stablecoin Conference – Nigeria Stablecoin Summit driving adoption of a borderless digital economy  

Lagos to host Africa’s first Stablecoin Conference – Nigeria Stablecoin Summit driving adoption of a borderless digital economy  

June 24, 2025
  • iOS App
  • Android App
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Markets
  • Sectors
  • Economy
  • Business News
  • Financial Literacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Ads Disclaimer
  • Copyright Infringement

© 2025 Nairametrics

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
  • Login
  • Sign Up

© 2025 Nairametrics