In one of the strangest stories of the year – “a professional disagreement” between the Nigerian Customs Service and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents led last week to gunfire and fighting at the airport, in which “scores” of people were injured. As a result of this disagreement, the Nigeria Customs Service has forbidden access to bonded warehouses – effectively paralysing freight movements at the airport. Airlines, waiting for aircraft parts, are calling for Customs to clear them as well as some essential goods, including perishables and medical goods. However, the Comptroller of Customs said the warehouses would not be opened, and that clearing agents would not return until they could be sure of no more security breaches at the airport’s cargo area. The industry in Lagos is said to be losing some $500,000 a day while the warehouses remain closed. According to one report, the cargo terminal has become “a theatre of war”.
