Chinedu Eze
For preventing him from using exit gate to access the cargo terminal, an official of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) seconded to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos sprayed teargas directly and at close range into the eyes of a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Not able to see anymore and in so much pains, the FAAN personnel was rushed to the Air Force Hospital from the agencies clinic to alleviate his pains and possibly salvage his eyes, which remained permanently closed and swollen.
THISDAY learnt that trouble started yesterday morning when the customs staff simply identified as H. Daboh who was in mufti and without On-duty Card (ODC) attempted to access the Monument Gate that leads to the Cargo and Hajj Terminal through the exit gate, instead of the entrance gate, thereby leading to gridlock on the road as other vehicles were coming out from the opposite direction.
The teargas victim, Mr. Taiwo Adeyanju, along with his colleagues wanted to stop Daboh from accessing the terminal through the exit and possibly to direct him to the right entrance but instead of listening to him, the customs personnel allegedly attacked with teargas, spraying it severally in the eyes by the for daring to stop him from entering the exit gate.
An eyewitness account stated that it took the intervention of some workers at the complex and the personnel of the Nigeria Police attached to the airport before Adeyanju could be successfully rescued from Daboh who also assaulted him physically and rained several blows on his face and other parts of his body.
THISDAY learnt that Daboh realised the magnitude of his offence, he attempted to run away and drove directly to the office of the customs at the airport, but he was given a hot chase by some workers at who succeeded in stopping him.
Daboh was later arrested and taken to the police station at the airport where his senior officers intervened and ensured his release.
Adeyanju was immediately rushed to the FAAN’s clinic at the airport where he was referred to the Air Force Hospital for better treatment as a result of the massive beating he received and the teargas.
In an interview with journalists, Adeyanju insisted that the intention of the customs officer was to blind him totally if not for the intervention of others at the venue of the incident.
At the Air Force hospital, THISDAY learnt that Adeyanju’s car, a Volkswagen Gulf with the registration number Lagos: EPE 136 BK was partly damaged by the officer.
