Evil That Men Do at Our Airports

By Dayo Emmanuel

Last night, I was at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to pick up guests arriving from Germany via Turkish Airlines. The flight landed at 8:30 pm, but as expected, it took a while for passengers to emerge from the arrival area.

I left home just after 7 pm and within minutes, I arrived at the airport and waited in the ‘undesignated’ space where people loiter to wait for arriving travellers. Unlike before, the airport no longer provides comfortable waiting areas which is not too good image for a country as important as Nigeria.

While waiting, I overheard several conversations. The first was a man speaking with his sister, complaining about Nigeria’s lack of a national airline while smaller African nations operate their own. He remarked in Yoruba, “ayé Nigeria ti ta”, meaning “Nigeria’s life is ruined.” Usually I would have taken him up for speaking ill of his country but since my last birthday in December, I stopped engaging in such conversations with people who may not be so reasonable.

Then there was a lady lamenting how Nigeria is a “messed-up country.” Listening to them, I recalled how negative narratives often worsen the nation’s image.

Later, a man nearby earlier addressed by someone as a pastor spoke about his niece, whom he described as academically challenged and suggested the family stops funding her education. Instead, he recommended the girl, a daughter of his late brother learns a trade and eventually gets married.

It baffled me how some people view vocational training as a dumping ground for those deemed “dull.” Artisans are not idiots — being a skilled mechanic or a tailor requires intelligence or else all of us on the road are endangered when our mechanics are idiots and we would all wear stupid styles. I think we should change this mindset.

The man further claimed the girl was wayward and needed deliverance at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) Church. His other relative suggested a three-day deliverance session. He argued that a three-day session wouldn’t be enough and suggested a 30-day deliverance program, which he noted would cost significant money. I wondered how long Jesus would have needed to resolve such issues, considering His promise that believers would do even greater works.

As time passed, a lady hawking bottled water walked in discreetly, despite hawking being prohibited at the airport. She shared a privileged bit of information — an Air France flight had been diverted to Congo. Curious, I asked why Congo when Lome, Cotonou, or Abidjan were closer alternatives. She quickly corrected herself, saying it was actually diverted to Abidjan.

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When my guests finally arrived, we met them through a tout assisting with luggage. One of the visitors, returning to Nigeria for the first time in 13 years, was visibly agitated. We loaded six boxes, three of which were massive, into the car and headed home.

The senior visitor was thrilled to be back home, expressing gratitude for the chance to see Nigeria again. “Home is home,” she said, “no matter where you go or how comfortable you are abroad.”

However, the excitement turned to shock when one of her boxes was opened to distribute gifts — only to discover it had been vandalided and valuables, including three brand-new power banks, were stolen.

Cases of the vandalided power banks

It was a bitter reminder of the decay in some sections of our society. Those who curse Nigeria often forget that such evil deeds contribute to the problems they complain about. The same thieves who stole from passengers likely speak ill of the country.

If we all behaved patriotically, both on and off duty, Nigeria would gradually improve but one bad egg must spoil many others.

This incident highlights the urgent need for better security measures at the cargo sections of Nigerian airports. I urge the airport authorities to investigate the workers on duty at the cargo section for Turkish Airlines that arrived at 8:30 pm on Saturday, 1 February, 2025. If these “human rats” are not stopped or trapped, they will embarrass not just the Turkish Airlines but the entire Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Justice must be served, and security strengthened to protect passengers’ belongings from such disgraceful theft.

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