How Yerima Was Stopped at Abuja Airport After Bypassing Screening and Attempting to Board a Flight With a Pistol

Lieutenant Adam Muhammad Yerima of the Nigerian Navy was stopped from boarding a ValueJet Airlines flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after allegedly attempting to bypass mandatory passenger screening and proceed toward the aircraft with a pistol, according to reports from Sahara Reporters.

Quoting Sources familiar with the incident, the report said the officer accessed the boarding terminal through the airport’s military wing, avoiding the designated civilian security checkpoints required for all passengers travelling on commercial flights.

Airline security personnel reportedly intercepted Yerima before boarding. Under Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, firearms are prohibited in passenger cabins and must be formally declared and processed through approved security channels before travel.

According to sources, the officer objected to being stopped and accused the airline of disrespect. He was later subjected to the required screening and declaration procedures before being allowed to continue his journey.

Yerima is the same naval officer who gained public attention after confronting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a widely discussed incident that circulated on social media.

Following the airport episode, the Nigerian military reportedly wrote to ValueJet Airlines, alleging that the carrier disrespected military personnel and requesting a formal apology for preventing the officer from boarding with the firearm.

Aviation sources said Yerima did not pass through the standard passenger screening points and instead moved from the restricted military section of the airport toward the aircraft.

Industry officials described the incident as part of a recurring pattern at some Nigerian airports, where military personnel resist compliance with civilian boarding procedures. A senior airline official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said such situations occur frequently and sometimes place pressure on airline staff to overlook security requirements.

The official also acknowledged that, in some cases, airlines have relied on informal arrangements to avoid confrontation, allowing certain individuals to move directly from the military wing to aircraft without completing full checks.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has faced criticism from aviation stakeholders over its handling of similar complaints. Sources said previous reports submitted to FAAN about such breaches have not resulted in sanctions.

A recent incident at Port Harcourt International Airport was cited, where airline staff reportedly raised concerns over boarding protocol violations involving military personnel but no disciplinary action followed.

Aviation experts warn that uneven enforcement of screening procedures weakens airport security. NCAA regulations require all passengers, regardless of status, to undergo screening, while firearms carried by authorised personnel must follow strict declaration, storage and handling protocols when travelling on civilian flights.

There has been no public statement from the Nigerian Navy, ValueJet Airlines, or FAAN regarding the incident.