@earthrealm
thank God, i hv purchased a small key chain spy cam. am gonna expose their sorry miserable asses!, they harassed me early this january, blatantly asking for money, in the glare of everybody, i really felt ashamed to be a nigerian, and they werent too polite too!!, very rough crude and coarse, GO HERE!!!, COME HERE, OYA MOVE!!!!, they all bellowed at returning passengers?

I learnt its a crime now to carry more than 3 laptops when returning from abroad, that they will confiscate 1 laptop if found!


Nice thoughts though, but let me ask you after the video coverage with your cam, where are you going to report it? Is it to the Controller-General of Customs or to the highly esteemed Nigeria Police force? It is not difficult taking pictures of these corrupt officials we know that very well, but the person you are reporting to actually got that far through corrupt practices. The whole system stinks like hell you know? The officers don't give a hoot who you report to.

Whenever we are ready, We will fight them. And by the time we stop giving them Money, Then that time have come for them to disappear. Nigerians are not ready. We have ONLY mouth no ACTION

savanto:




@earthrealm
thank God, i hv purchased a small key chain spy cam. am gonna expose their sorry miserable asses!, they harassed me early this january, blatantly asking for money, in the glare of everybody, i really felt ashamed to be a nigerian, and they werent too polite too!!, very rough crude and coarse, GO HERE!!!, COME HERE, OYA MOVE!!!!, they all bellowed at returning passengers?

I learnt its a crime now to carry more than 3 laptops when returning from abroad, that they will confiscate 1 laptop if found!


Nice thoughts though, but let me ask you after the video coverage with your cam, where are you going to report it? Is it to the Controller-General of Customs or to the highly esteemed Nigeria Police force? It is not difficult taking pictures of these corrupt officials we know that very well, but the person you are reporting to actually got that far through corrupt practices. The whole system stinks like hell you know? The officers don't give a hoot who you report to.

after getting repeated coverage on CNN, saharareporters, South African TV I'm very sure someone somewhere would like to be seen to be working with the people!!

by the time one officers name makes it to twitter etc etc it will then eventually be on a local newspaper

We just need one video or picture

earthrelm, hope your camera has no blinking red light o!!

There are loads of places to "REPORT" the thieving officials to!

Let people begin to use hidden cameras (from phones, keyfobs, pens, e.t.c.) to record these people (with their names and tags) - policemen, customs and immigration officials - and post their disgraceful acts on the internet (e.g. YouTube) if the local stations are too timid to air them.

Let's name and shame them!

You can post the Video/Audios here on Nairaland
OR on Youtube

OR SaharaReporters

OR Nigerian Village Square

OR FaceBook

OR TWITTER

OR Foreign TV Stations (Aljazeera, Press TV, BBC, CNN, e.t.c)

OR several "private Blogs"!

The effect may not be immediate but with time, it builds critical Mass and Momentum!

The only weapon we have against them is to "Expose and Shame" them publicly.

Who knows, with time, such "exposee" might form the basis of a criminal investigation or dismissal, at least!


[size=14pt]"The Man died in him that Keeps quiet, in the face of Tyranny"![/size]

Lastpage!

how about the rest international airports in nigeria?phc for example,

Those Id!ot made me loose my flight bcus am not ready to give them Egunjee. . . . .


I think this is where we need the Boko haram

The same extortionists would attend church service with, pray with you in church, pay tithes and offerings etc. God help us all, bribery has become a way of life for us.

I was so embarraased when I was harrassed by Nigerian imigration cos I had a one-way ticket to Sydney. I kept asking them what their business was, and in order to "punish" me, their boss said I must produce evidence dt I intend to come back to Naija. How on earth is it ur business if I am running away for ever? Mind u, I had a spouse immigration visa o.

In as much as I hate to use the word 'hate', I must say that the Customs and Immigration services at our international airport are the worst I have ever seen. Not only are they the worst, the airline officials also use every means to extort money from passengers. I plan to get a spy pen to record all their shady dealings some day. We really need to do something about this. Those guys were asking me for 3k just because i had blended egusi, pepper and stocked fish in my luggage.

Nigeria is the only country where your bags are searched, your pants and bras are displayed to everyone just because they are looking for something to use in asking for a big tips. Why can't the government equip the airports with security gadgets to check bags like other civilised countries do? We are a very sick country. The money is there but corruption will never let us develop. The worst thing is that these poeple will carry their bible and preach in the church as pastors every sunday. Are we not hippocrits in Nigeria, the country that has the largest number of churches per street in the whole world?

drlateef:

Nigeria is the only country where your bags are searched, your pants and bras are displayed to everyone just because they are looking for something to use in asking for a big tips. Why can't the government equip the airports with security gadgets to check bags like other civilised countries do? We are a very sick country. The money is there but corruption will never let us develop. The worst thing is that these poeple will carry their bible and preach in the church as pastors every sunday. Are we not hippocrits in Nigeria, the country that has the largest number of churches per street in the whole world?

They don't have security scanners installed not because they forgot but just so that they can use the opportunity to interact and extort money from travellers. There are scanners at the domestic wing and also for the hand luggage at the international wing? Is this not surprising?

Have you also noticed that they would rather grope through your bags with their corrupt fingers and filthy fingers at the arrival point too rather than have scanners installed and do it neatly and hygienically?

What they are doing is deliberate because there is opportunity to do it . We can and we must start exposing them to the whole world.

Yes, customs officials at MMA are corrupt and infuriating. They delay you and unashamedly ask for bribes.

The right thing to do, do not give in. Stand your ground and refuse.

This will work if you are clean and stick to the rules of International travel.

But you see, a lot of Nigerians give in to these officials because they are carrying stuff they shouldn't be travelling with on an international trip. These officials will let you board with these items if you "grease a palm or two" and trust nigerians, we are notorious rule breakers. We want to travel with that gallon of Palm oil and so would rather give them a bribe and travel with our contraband.

So i think we as a people also encourage their thievry and until we learn to adhere to simple rules will continue to face this problem with customs. Think about it, there is really no reason to part with a bribe or a "facilitation fee" if you have nothingg to hide. Simply smile, say "no thank, you" and keep moving.

I have never had to part with a dime at the airport. I have been asked by those same officials, have politely refused and have moved on with no issues. Lets change our attitude as a nation and it will cascade to all facets of life.

thandie:

But you see, a lot of Nigerians give in to these officials because they are carrying stuff they shouldn't be travelling with on an international trip. These officials will let you board with these items if you "grease a palm or two" and trust nigerians, we are notorious rule breakers. We want to travel with that gallon of Palm oil and so would rather give them a bribe and travel with our contraband.

So i think we as a people also encourage their thievry and until we learn to adhere to simple rules will continue to face this problem with customs. Think about it, there is really no reason to part with a bribe or a "facilitation fee" if you have nothingg to hide. Simply smile, say "no thank, you" and keep moving.

You've made great points here but you see, the onus is on the officials to refuse the bribe and refuse the law-breakers the opportunity to travel with those items. I also think that they should install CCTV cameras at the airport to reveal those who give and collect bribes so that they can both be arrested and prosecuted.

Do they ask for Bribes from those travelling for the 1st time?

Tamita:

Do they ask for Bribes from those travelling for the 1st time?

The number of times you have travelled is inconsequential when it comes to the bribe appetite of those people.

thandie:

Yes, customs officials at MMA are corrupt and infuriating. They delay you and unashamedly ask for bribes.

The right thing to do, do not give in. Stand your ground and refuse.

This will work if you are clean and stick to the rules of International travel.

But you see, a lot of Nigerians give in to these officials because they are carrying stuff they shouldn't be travelling with on an international trip. These officials will let you board with these items if you "grease a palm or two" and trust Nigerians, we are notorious rule breakers. We want to travel with that gallon of Palm oil and so would rather give them a bribe and travel with our contraband.

So i think we as a people also encourage their thievery and until we learn to adhere to simple rules will continue to face this problem with customs. Think about it, there is really no reason to part with a bribe or a "facilitation fee" if you have nothing to hide. Simply smile, say "no thank, you" and keep moving.

I have never had to part with a dime at the airport. I have been asked by those same officials, have politely refused and have moved on with no issues. Lets change our attitude as a nation and it will cascade to all facets of life.

The bolded is not necessarily true. People have told you, on this thread, how they refused to give them anything and the Customs people made them miss their flights, subjected them to long humiliating unnecessary body searches, etc.

You have been lucky but if those guys mean you, nothing fit help you.

I once had a similar experience when i first traveled to the UK,the customs officer refused to let me go without bribing him and when i found out he was bent on making me miss my flight,i had to part away with $100. Most of this customs officers think because you are traveling out of the country makes you a rich dude or something.I think the system is so corrupt and it would take a lot to get rid of the bad eggs.May God our dear nation Nigeria.

The first time travellers are the most vulnerable.
They threaten them that they'd miss their flight.

My cousin had to part with $100 dollars on his first trip
out of Nigeria when he was delayed and told he would miss his flight.

Am not a small boy oh,

If anybody threaten me, I will convert the threat, and make it clear to them, they are playing with fire,

Arrive the airport in plenty of time. If you refuse to give them money they can't do you anything.

I fly in and out of MMA often and I don't give them a kobo.

At Customs, Departure, Passport, SSS: "Anything for us sir"?
Me: "God bless you".
Them: "Have a good flight"
And they leave me alone.

lol, reminds me of what happened when i was travelling:

                                ****ENJOY*****

THEM: What are you going to Bleep to do?
ME: As you can see sir, i am a student
THEM: Where is your Admission letter?
ME: (I showed Him)
THEM: How much do you have as your BTA?
ME: 2000 POUNDS (This made him raised his eyebrows and started his funny questions)
THEM: Where is the reciept of the tuition fees payment?
ME: (I showed him)
THEM: Where is your O`level result?
MEI showed Him, including my Diploma Certificate)
THEM: Where is your secondary school testimonial?
ME: (I showed Him)
THEM: Where is your birth certificate?
ME: *Suprised at first bt* (I Showed him)

This was where he got angry and said

THEM: You dey try show say you get everything ba oya where is your PRIMARY 6 AND Junior  sECONDARY School CERTIFICATE??
ME: Ha! but sir, i already showed you my WAEC, how can i possibly seat for my Senior secondary school certificate without passing through Junior secondary school??
THEM: Are you asking me? If you dont have it, you KNOW WAT TO DO and you better check the time because your flight leaves in 40 minutes time.
ME: As you can see, i am a student and i dont have any money woooooo except my BTA and only Death can remove 1 pound from it.
THEM: So you dey try show say you sabi this place pass me abi? (he took me to one room and gave my documents to his Boss) on getting there, his boss saw my passport and alas, we both had the same Surname! he was speechless and called the guy to make sure nobody disturbed me till i got to the Boarding gate and that if i missed my flight, he would be in serious trouble!
ME: Thank you sir!

I couldnt stop laughing cuz i was being escorted to the boarding gate like a Diplomat, more like a fast track, lol

noble_gas1:

lol, reminds me of what happened when i was travelling:

                                ****ENJOY*****

THEM: What are you going to Bleep to do?
ME: As you can see sir, i am a student
THEM: Where is your Admission letter?
ME: (I showed Him)
THEM: How much do you have as your BTA?
ME: 2000 POUNDS (This made him raised his eyebrows and started his funny questions)
THEM: Where is the reciept of the tuition fees payment?
ME: (I showed him)
THEM: Where is your O`level result?
MEI showed Him, including my Diploma Certificate)
THEM: Where is your secondary school testimonial?
ME: (I showed Him)
THEM: Where is your birth certificate?
ME: *Suprised at first bt* (I Showed him)

This was where he got angry and said

THEM: You dey try show say you get everything ba oya where is your PRIMARY 6 AND Junior  sECONDARY School CERTIFICATE??

ME: Ha! but sir, i already showed you my WAEC, how can i possibly seat for my Senior secondary school certificate without passing through Junior secondary school??
THEM: Are you asking me? If you dont have it, you KNOW WAT TO DO and you better check the time because your flight leaves in 40 minutes time.
ME: As you can see, i am a student and i dont have any money woooooo except my BTA and only Death can remove 1 pound from it.
THEM: So you dey try show say you sabi this place pass me abi? (he took me to one room and gave my documents to his Boss) on getting there, his boss saw my passport and alas, we both had the same Surname! he was speechless and called the guy to make sure nobody disturbed me till i got to the Boarding gate and that if i missed my flight, he would be in serious trouble!
ME: Thank you sir!

I couldnt stop laughing cuz i was being escorted to the boarding gate like a Diplomat, more like a fast track, lol

The two sentences(bold letters) in this story really cracked me up!
If na me be that guy, i don shoot you finish, since na only death go make you pat with some cash out of 2k pounds!

blank:

The bolded is not necessarily true. People have told you, on this thread, how they refused to give them anything and the Customs people made them miss their flights, subjected them to long humiliating unnecessary body searches, etc.

You have been lucky but if those guys mean you, nothing fit help you.

That's a defeatist attitude and not one that will help achieve what we desire on this thread.

Travellers being subjected to body searches and the likes is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Infact, I think the US outdo us on that score. The truth is that these same officials are the ones with the responsibility of fishing out travellers guilty of drug possession etc. They are actually empowered to carry out a body search if they suspect foul play but of course, we all know that this power is abused for personal gain, which is the issue here.

So my suggestion on the way forward here is, let's play our own part right. You know you have no illegal substance on you. Do not offer or give in to requests for "egunje". Be courteous, this is no time to show them how much you despise them. Believe me, you will be allowed to proceed on your journey after the routine scans/checks on your luggage.If they do however decide to carry out a further search on you, unless you are guilty of "something", they will find nothing on you and you will still be allowed to proceed on your journey. For chrissakes, are we babies who do not know our right from our left? A customs officer threatens to detain you, after he has found nothing illegal on you and for that reason you give him a hundred dollars

@ noble gas1, your story made me laugh so much my wife had to run out from the kitchen to enquire what was so hilarious to me.Ol boy,thank God say the senior officer dey bear ur name abi na surname.otherwise, wetin dem go show you, but just as some folks had pointed out, i really think we need to stand out ground o,but do it politely.I noticed in the thread someone pointing out how the officers begin use 'coded language' "HAUSA" to ID who be like say e dey rich and who dey "manage".Na true yan.When dem size u up and down finish,dem go just carry bold face like person wey e juju dey shack am.Hmmm money wey those niggaz dey hammer on daily basis no be small thing o.But i wait to see the first poser here who would bring up a video concerning the nigerian customs "attack and demand"style.

let me make it clear that this airport workers are too moneyish and can do more than our expectations, firstly, they use their inner eyes to know you status, as in whether you are a professor, doctor or lawyer. if you look ordinarily and they see that you don't have any body arlound, then you are finished whether you have complete document or not.
the first time travellers are the greatest victim of this criminality. sometimes they go some extra miles by even contacting other security on high ways to let them worry you. just to make sure you are frustrated.
solution, is that we should always learn to poss like an important personel whenever we are passing the airport by using the most couragious words to tell them no fearlesly and unshakebly. we should let our relation acompany us to airport. then we should use hiden camera to expose them.

jidewin:

@ noble gas1, your story made me laugh so much my wife had to run out from the kitchen to enquire what was so hilarious to me.Ol boy,thank God say the senior officer dey bear your name abi na surname.otherwise, wetin dem go show you, but just as some folks had pointed out, i really think we need to stand out ground o,but do it politely.I noticed in the thread someone pointing out how the officers begin use 'coded language' "HAUSA" to ID who be like say e dey rich and who dey "manage".Na true yan.When dem size u up and down finish,dem go just carry bold face like person wey e juju dey shack am.Hmmm money wey those niggaz dey hammer on daily basis no be small thing o.But i wait to see the first poser here who would bring up a video concerning the nigerian customs "attack and demand"style.

lol, yes OOO, when he demanded to see my Primary school certificate and Junior secondary school certificate, i was like WTF? i have passed through this airport like 7 times and never have i been asked to show them once so why now? because u hear 2000 pounds abi? he doesnt even know how i got the money and he demanded dat that i shuld part with some. Gosh ! u need to see the expensive phones they use!

unipol:

let me make it clear that this airport workers are too moneyish and can do more than our expectations, firstly, they use their inner eyes to know you status, as in whether you are a professor, doctor or lawyer. if you look ordinarily and they see that you don't have any body arlound, then you are finished whether you have complete document or not.
the first time travellers are the greatest victim of this criminality. sometimes they go some extra miles by even contacting other security on high ways to let them worry you. just to make sure you are frustrated.
solution, is that we should always learn to poss like an important personel whenever we are passing the airport by using the most couragious words to tell them no fearlesly and unshakebly. we should let our relation acompany us to airport. then we should use hiden camera to expose them.

I agree somewhat with this. COMPOSURE. POISE. ATTITUDE. Whether you are a first time traveller or not, carry yourself properly. Dress well (esp if its your first time. Dont wear like full agbada o. Lolllll). Put on a proper shirt, shoes and be neat. Not hooded tops or ripped jeans etc. Dont overload yourself (too much luggage) and even if you do, be prepared to pay for your excess luggage and not argue. Dont attempt to carry luggage that should be checked in as hand luggage (i have seen outrageous stuff being taken in as hand luggage)

As it is everywhere, with the police, government officials etc (both in nigeria and even abroad) when you look respectable and these people dont know who you are, they will more often than not, approach you cautiously and politely and not ask you OPENLY for bribes. If they feel you are a 'small boy or girl' they will ask you for bribes and threaten to delay you. For Gods sake, why should and how can you be delayed and end up missing your flight? Na die for them o, if they try that. SOMEONE WILL PAY FOR MY AIR FARE. WTH.

Even when you get to the European or American end, your composure is what makes the difference sometimes. I often hear of nigerians getting stopped or harrassed at foreign airports. I have travelled extensively around Africa, Europe and the US and when immigration or customs officials stop me anywhere (Nigeria or abroad), i look them in the eye and answer them in short, sharp sentences. Of course, try not to be rude or pompous or proud or haughty. I dont 'over' smile or try to joke or make small talk because for these oyibos, na profiling dem dey take undo people.

@epiphanyu, u hit it on the head!!.

PROFILING AND PACKAGING!!,
THE PROBLEM IS MOST AFRICANS/NIGERIANS HV A POOR PERCEPTION/IMAGE OF THEMSELVES, N ARE INTIMIDATED easily by things/people.
peeps shud learn to carry themselves well, and not carry illegal stuff, like palm oil, crayfish, garri etc.

last time i went to the uk, i must confess i was guilty of that, i had packs of naija soup making condiments neatly wrapped in my luggage, and i had to give the 'boys' 2k to avoid going to the agric section so that they cud go tru all the items i had on me one by one to ensure i wasnt contravening the law,

i really didnt enjoy giving the 2k bribe, but my options were limited, it was during 2010 dec, when heathrow and all the uk airports were shut down, thus the flight thingy was chaotic, mjy flight was shifted twice!!

Question its my first time going to Nigeria do I really need to prepare for this and also do I need a yellow vaccine certificate

^^how is it your first time going to nigeria?

Because it is , I was born there lived throughout my childhood left in 1999 and never returned until now Can someone answer my question ?