The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has condemned the alleged brutalisation of a senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, describing the incident as “one too many”.
In a press statement issued by the union’s Deputy Secretary General, Comrade Ocheme Aba, ANAP expressed outrage over what it described as the continued harassment and assault of civilian airport workers by armed security personnel operating within Nigeria’s airports.
According to the statement, the latest incident occurred on May 11, 2026, when the Head of Operations Department at the airport, Mr. Ekene Enechukwu, who is also a Deputy General Manager with FAAN, was allegedly attacked while responding to an emergency situation at the airport.
The union explained that Enechukwu was rushing to attend to a fire incident within the airport premises when an Air Force operative stationed at the military checkpoint near the airport toll gate allegedly misinterpreted his hurried movement and physically assaulted him.
ANAP claimed that the FAAN official was beaten and left bloodied during the encounter despite reportedly being on official emergency duty.
The association said the incident reflects a disturbing pattern of violence and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by military and other armed personnel against civilian workers in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
It lamented that previous appeals and complaints over similar incidents in the past had yielded little or no response from the relevant authorities.
“The Nigerian Air Force continues to harbour violent elements who remain unrestrained from assaulting and brutalising civilian workers at our civil airports without provocation,” the statement read.
The union further described such conduct as “terrifying uncivil behaviour in a completely civic environment”, warning that it would no longer tolerate repeated attacks on aviation workers carrying out their lawful duties.
ANAP disclosed that it was considering additional measures aimed at preventing future occurrences, adding that consultations were already underway with relevant stakeholders on the next line of action.
While withholding details of the proposed steps, the association said its position and agenda would be unveiled in the coming days after broader consultations.
In the immediate term, however, the union demanded an unreserved apology from the Nigerian Air Force to both Mr. Enechukwu and FAAN over the incident.
It also called for stringent disciplinary action against the Air Force personnel allegedly involved in the assault.
“Enough is enough,” the statement concluded, as the union insisted that airport environments should remain safe and professional spaces for all personnel irrespective of agency affiliation.
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