FAAN Sanctions Immigration Officials for Extorting 14-year-old Traveller

By Kabir Abdulsalam

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has permanently banned two immigration officers for extorting a 14-year-old female traveler at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

A press statement by the FAAN said the officers have been made to refund the N8000 naira that was extorted and their duty cards have been withdrawn.

It would be recalled that on February 19, 2022, the mother of the minor, who gave her name as Ratchet Rayne @Imoted, said on Twitter that her child was extorted and left with no money to travel abroad.

According to the tweet: “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 one thousand naira 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?”

Meanwhile, the allegation forced the authorities to swing into action and commenced an investigation.

According to the statement signed by Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, the acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, the culprits were identified with the aid of CCTV cameras.

“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 Their On Duty Cards were withdrawn permanently and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian Airport,” the statement read.

FAAN noted further that the mother of the girl had since received the recovered money.