Navy officer allegedly evades Airport checks, tries to board flight with firearm

A Nigerian Navy officer, identified as Lieutenant Adam Muhammad Yerima, is at the centre of an aviation security controversy after he was allegedly caught attempting to board a commercial aircraft with a gun at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

According to SaharaReporters, the officer reportedly avoided routine passenger screening by entering the airport terminal through the military wing rather than the civilian access point, before heading to board a ValueJet Airlines flight.

Aviation sources said Yerima was in possession of a pistol, which is prohibited on commercial flights under Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations unless officially declared and processed through approved security procedures.

The breach was reportedly discovered by airline security personnel, who prevented the officer from boarding the aircraft until he complied with standard aviation rules applicable to all passengers, including uniformed officers.

After initially objecting, the naval officer was said to have eventually submitted to screening and formally declared the firearm, after which he was allowed to proceed with the flight.

However, the situation reportedly took a new turn when the Nigerian military wrote to ValueJet Airlines, accusing the airline of disrespecting military personnel and demanding an apology for stopping the officer from boarding with his weapon.

Insiders disclosed that Lieutenant Yerima allegedly bypassed all civilian security checkpoints by accessing the terminal through a restricted military entrance, a move described as a violation of established aviation safety regulations.

Aviation industry insiders noted that airport rules clearly require all passengers, irrespective of rank or status, to undergo security screening, while firearms must be properly declared and handled under strict protocols.

The incident has reportedly reignited concerns about a recurring trend at major Nigerian airports, where some military personnel allegedly resist compliance with standard boarding procedures.

A senior ValueJet official, who spoke anonymously, told SaharaReporters that airline staff are often subjected to intimidation when they insist on enforcing regulations.

“This is not a one-off situation. Some uniformed personnel refuse to follow the rules and may threaten airline workers who try to enforce them,” the official said.

The source also acknowledged that some airlines occasionally enable such breaches to avoid confrontations, explaining that protocol officers are sometimes used to fast-track boarding from the military wing directly to the aircraft without security checks.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has also faced criticism over its handling of similar incidents, with sources alleging that complaints submitted to the agency often receive no response.

In a related case at Port Harcourt International Airport, airline staff reportedly flagged military officers for violating boarding procedures, only for FAAN to allegedly reprimand the airline, while the officers involved faced no disciplinary action.