FAAN sacks firm accused of illegal vehicle clamping

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered the immediate ejection of a transport company from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The company faces accusations of illegally clamping vehicles and extorting N25,000 in penalties from motorists. This action follows a complaint detailing questionable enforcement of the airport's no-parking and no-pick-up rules, including allegations that drivers were pressured to pay fines through personal accounts and point-of-sale (POS) operators.

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Based on the escalation of this complaint to the Managing Director of FAAN, Ms Olubunmi Kuku, she has ordered the immediate ejection from the Abuja airport of the company responsible for this illegal action.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, confirmed that the matter was escalated to FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku. Kuku subsequently directed the company's removal from the airport premises. Achimugu stated that FAAN is committed to taking action against illegal activities, particularly those that inconvenience airport users. "Based on the escalation of this complaint to the Managing Director of FAAN, Ms Olubunmi Kuku, she has ordered the immediate ejection from the Abuja airport of the company responsible for this illegal action," he said.

The complaint, brought to light by a lawyer identified only as Ogundele, alleged that enforcement personnel would clamp vehicles of motorists who stopped briefly near the airport. These drivers were then reportedly directed to a "red-painted container" to pay a N25,000 fine. Instead of official payment channels, motorists were allegedly directed to POS operators and accounts under names such as Sani Nasiru, Bala Matazu, and Yahaya Matage. The lawyer questioned the legitimacy of such payments, asking, "Why am I paying a random PoS guy? Isn't there a designated account for this purpose?"

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Yes, it is because they do not have a current agreement and they have been warned against such practices in the past.

Further allegations suggest that payments made to the officially designated account could result in lengthy delays for confirmation, while payments to the personnel-provided accounts were processed instantly. When contacted, FAAN's Managing Director confirmed the company's removal, stating, "Yes, it is because they do not have a current agreement and they have been warned against such practices in the past." FAAN aims to distance itself from the company's alleged practices and ensure a smoother experience for airport users.

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Why am I paying a random PoS guy? Isn't there a designated account for this purpose?