Nigerian Navy Officer Allegedly Bypasses Airport Security with Firearm, Demands Apology from Airline

"...SaharaReporters learnt that Lieutenant Yerima, who is known in public discourse for previously confronting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, gained access to the boarding terminal through the military wing of the airport...."

"...SaharaReporters further gathered that Lieutenant Yerima entered the boarding terminal through the military wing of the airport, thereby avoiding standard civilian security screening procedures, before attempting to board a ValueJet Airlines flight...."

"...The officer reportedly accused the airline of "disrespect" after he was stopped for breaching aviation regulations...."

"...According to multiple sources familiar with the incident, which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the lieutenant was armed with a pistol — an item strictly prohibited for passengers on commercial flights under Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations unless properly declared and handled through approved security channels...."

"...Sources told SaharaReporters that airline security officials noticed the breach and prevented Yerima from boarding the aircraft with the firearm...."

"...They insisted that he complies with civil aviation rules applicable to all passengers, including uniformed personnel travelling on commercial flights...."

"...After the initial resistance, the officer reportedly submitted to due process, including proper screening and declaration procedures, after which he was eventually allowed to board the flight...."

"...However, the incident escalated beyond the airport terminal...."

"...Following the episode, the Nigerian military reportedly wrote an official letter to ValueJet Airlines, accusing the airline of disrespecting military personnel and demanding a formal apology from the carrier for stopping the officer from boarding with his weapon...."

"...SaharaReporters gathered that Lieutenant Yerima completely skipped standard passenger screening by entering the boarding terminal through the restricted military wing of the airport, rather than passing through the designated civilian security checkpoints...."

"...Aviation regulations require that all passengers—regardless of status—undergo screening before boarding commercial aircraft. Firearms, even when legally possessed, must be formally declared and handled under strict security protocols...."

"...Yet, according to sources, Yerima proceeded directly towards the aircraft with his pistol, in violation of these rules, until airline officials intervened...."

"...Industry insiders say the incident is far from isolated and reflects a recurring pattern at major Nigerian airports, where military personnel frequently refuse to subject themselves to standard boarding procedures...."

"...A senior ValueJet official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told SaharaReporters that such incidents are common and often involve intimidation of airline staff...."

"...“This is the usual practice of military personnel. They refuse to subject themselves to boarding protocol and often threaten airline officials when asked to comply,” the source said...."

"...The official also admitted that airlines are not entirely blameless, revealing that some carriers, including ValueJet, have at times facilitated these breaches through protocol arrangements to avoid confrontation...."

"...“They send protocol officers to receive boarding passes on their behalf and go straight to board the flight, skipping all checks and going from the military wing of the airport straight to the aircraft,” the source disclosed...."

"...The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has also come under scrutiny for allegedly failing to address repeated complaints about such security breaches...."

"...Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that reports submitted to FAAN over similar incidents have gone unanswered, with the authority often accused of siding with military officers rather than enforcing aviation safety rules...."

"...In a recent incident at Port Harcourt International Airport, airline staff reportedly reported military personnel for violating boarding protocols. Instead of sanctioning the officers, FAAN allegedly reprimanded the airline, while the officers faced no consequences...."

"...Aviation experts warn that these practices pose grave security risks in a sector where uniform enforcement of rules is critical to passenger safety...."

"...Under NCAA regulations, all passengers must be screened, and restricted items such as firearms must follow strict declaration, storage, and handling procedures—even when carried by authorised personnel travelling in a civilian capacity...."

"...A source added that allowing any category of passengers to bypass checks undermines the entire aviation security framework and exposes aircraft, crew, and passengers to avoidable risks...."

"...Despite repeated incidents and growing concerns from industry insiders, there has been no public disciplinary action against offending officers or institutional reforms to end the practice...."