A disturbing incident has occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos State where some Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel allegedly assaulted and tortured members of the Airport Limousine Shuttle Service Association of Nigeria.
The brutal attack, SaharaReporters was told, was carried out under the orders of the new Airport NAF Commandant.
The violence resulted in over 50 association members taken to the hospital.
A member of the association, who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday on condition of anonymity said the incident happened last weekend.
Narrating the incident, the member said, “Air Force officials acting under the order of the new Airport Commandant harassed association members leading to hospitalisation of over 50 members.
“Members were assaulted and tortured inside dirty gutters by the Air Force officials. The patron of the association was also part of those assaulted.”
Meanwhile, a source in the Lagos Airport told SaharaReporters that Air Force personnel abuses on staff has been a regular thing, adding that this is why they are raising the alarm.
“A female staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was once assaulted and almost beaten to death by the Air Force personnel,” the source lamented.
Although SaharaReporters could not independently ascertain the reason behind the assault on association members, a member of the Airport Limousine Shuttle Service, confirmed the attack on members but could not provide details.
An investigation into the incident is crucial to ensure accountability by military personnel and protect the rights of airport workers and users.