Nigerian lawyer and activist Modupe Odele has berated some Customs officers stationed at Nigerian airports, accusing them of always begging passengers for alms.
Odele, one of the leaders and financiers of the popular #EndSARS protests, called on the airport authorities to crack down on the practice.
The international finance and technology attorney further stated that the act gives a terrible first impression about Nigerians.
Her words:
“I think in my lifetime, I’ve been to over 50 airports (this is being conservative), but the Lagos airport is the only one I’ve seen where customs officers actually beg you for money.
“I have never witnessed this in any other place, and it is so embarrassing.
“The “begging” in the new wing is even worse. At every stop. And no, don’t tell me it is poverty. I’ve been to countries that are way poorer than us, and the customs officers do not beg for money.
“I don’t mind tipping people if they have done a service for me that I appreciate. But why should I give a customs officer money for simply passing through? Makes no sense.
“And the airport authorities need to crack down on this practice. Terrible first impression.
“In other places, customs officers are stern and focused on their jobs, not the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.”
She also counselled that people should generally refuse to give them any money out of principle, adding that “this behaviour should not be enabled.”
“You have a Nigerian passport; if you are not a criminal or wanted for something, you have a right to enter your freaking country,” she added.