As the Federal Government battles to stay on course with its anti-corruption crusade, members of some of its agencies, especially some that work at international airports across the country, have continued to perpetrate ignoble acts tantamount to corruption unabated.
One of such acts is that of demanding bribes and handouts from passengers at various points at the airports whether on arrival or while departing.
Some of the agencies whose officials have been severally reported to be involved in the disgraceful act include the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Customs and the Police.
According to a journalist, Mr. Olugbenga Abiola, who narrated his experience while travelling to Turkey from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in May 2016, the bold nature of harassment by officials of the agencies in their quest for money and other valuables from passengers, was a disgrace to the nation.
“I was embarrassed when I saw officials of NIS and NDLEA demanding bribes from foreigners and Nigerians before allowing them pass the checkpoint. Some of them did not check the luggage at all because of the tip while some of us who refused to bribe them were unnecessarily delayed. It is saddening to see these men bringing shame to this great country,” he told The Point.
In Dr. Charles Okafor’s case, he said he was shocked that after going past the first checkpoint at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, he was confronted by another set of Police, NDLEA, Immigration, Customs officers who had set up another “checkpoint” to extort money from travellers.
According to the accountant, the men were more forceful than the first set he met at the airport.
“The first set demanded for bribe humorously, but the second set wanted money from me and they wanted it fast. It was alarming when they demanded for foreign currencies because they found I was travelling to Atlanta Georgia, United States. When I told them I don’t have Dollars to part with, they demanded for valuables and I gave them a wrist watch because my legs were aching.
“A man by my side was made to go through rigorous check probably because he had nothing to part with. The mobile policeman told him to part with his wristwatch that he will buy another one when he gets to his destination, but he refused. “As you manage to beat the second ‘toll’ point, you begin the process of checking-in your luggage. That also comes with another demand for bribes. One hefty man, who checked my luggage stopped midway to demand that I tip him. I told him I had no money on me. His countenance changed immediately when he saw I was not ready to give anything,” he said.
