Metro

Travellers Stranded, As NAHCo Suspends Operation At MMIA

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2023

International passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos were stranded as workers of aviation ground handling company, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCo Plc) suspends operation.

The worker insisted that they will not commence operation until their salary issues are addressed.

Vanguard gathered that Royal Air Maroc, and Qatar Airlines passenger flights have been turned around while Virgin Atlantic, which is on the ground, is offloading with their staff and the cargo is still on the aircraft as NAHCO staff refused to work only passengers were disembarked.

NAHCo handles check-in, boarding, and ramp services for Delta, Turkish Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, and Air France-KLM amongst other international carriers.

As of 8:30 am, stranded passengers that travelled with Virgin Atlantic were pleading with the workers’ union to rescind their action while looking for an amicable resolution.

Many of Virgin Atlantic’s passengers are students who are returning to schools in the United Kingdom. Many of their parents and guardians in Nigeria and the UK were heard calling their wards in a bid to know the next line of action.

According to the General Sales Agent (GSA), Virgin Atlantic Airways, John Adebanjo, the situation had left our passengers in a panic situation.

“We are optimistic that the situation will be resolved and passengers allowed to board for their 10:00 am flight.”

It was gathered that the passengers had arrived at the international wing of the Lagos airport for their flights. They were oblivious to what awaited them. Many were seen yelling at some NAHco workers for choosing to embark on strike as confusion reigned at the terminal.

A traveller who spoke to Vanguard disclosed that there was a major problem at the airport as NAHCO staff walked out of the international Airport, saying they’re on strike.

“All NAHCO handled flights shut down as passengers are going crazy but kept outside to avoid a crisis. I’m here at the airport.

“Even the Qatar flight I’m travelling with this morning landed and has returned to Doha as there’s no one to handle them
We need to get on this problem asap before the situation escalates,” he said.

Another traveller stated that NAHCO workers on Monday morning as early as 7:00 am told passengers that they were on strike and were not ready to work until their demands are met.

“We are frustrated at the airport with no information from the airline.”

There were indications that more airlines could be affected by the problem created by the company.

A source at NAHCO who craved anonymity told Vanguard that the management had met with the staff on Sunday over the proposed strike but assured that the situation will be addressed soon.

Not a few believe that the situation may have caused a lot of financial losses to the company, and airlines and disrupted the travel plans of many passengers.

Metro

Sealing Spree: FCTA Sledge Hammer Hits FIRS Office, Bank, Fuel Station, Others

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent spanning 34 years.

The property occupied by Access Bank is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not the bank directly, according to official documents.

A letter dated March 13, 2025, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated: “The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja.”

The letter cited the continued default in ground rent payment as the reason for the revocation.

“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty-Four (34) years,” it stated.

FCTA also shut down the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja for similar violations.

The closures are part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.

According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.

Metro

Explosion Near Abuja Barracks Causes Panic, One Injured

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

An explosion sound was heard on Monday near the Abacha Barracks located along the Nyanya-Maraba road in Abuja, causing panic among residents and passersby.

Sources told The PUNCH that one person sustained injuries in the aftermath of the explosion.

“There was an explosion around our area today. I can’t categorically say, it was a case of sucide bombing has been peddled. But what is sure is that there was an explosion, ” One of the sources said.

Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele, for comments were unsuccessful.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed an explosion that occurred on along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass in Abuja.

According to a statement by Adeh, the incident happened at about 2:50 PM and prompted an immediate response from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which was deployed to the scene.

She said the area was quickly cordoned off for clearance and analysis to ensure the safety of commuters and residents.

“One male victim was rescued at the scene and promptly taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” Adeh said.

She added that a comprehensive investigation, including forensic analysis, has commenced to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosion.

The police have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm. They also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.

Metro

VIDEO: FCTA Seals NAPTIP Headquarters In Abuja

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Abuja.

This action follows the FCTA’s announcement on Sunday, stating its intention to reclaim property affected by the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.

According to The PUNCH, officials from the FCTA similarly sealed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja, an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, over non-payment of ground rent.

The closures are said to be part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.

According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1927044859967213721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1927044859967213721%7Ctwgr%5E6a7350893ac0ba8384634fb949a843a8d1eed929%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpunchng.com%2Fvideo-fcta-seals-naptip-headquarters-in-abuja%2F