Airport officials have provided their account of the viral confrontation involving Progress Oberiko at Osubi Airport, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, following the passenger’s allegations of harassment and attempted extortion, which sparked widespread public reaction and prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to order an investigation.

Oberiko, travelling on a United Nigeria Airlines flight to Abuja on 22 July, took to Facebook to describe the encounter as “the worst airport experience” of her life. She alleged that Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel subjected her checked baggage to an intrusive manual search, attempted to prevent her from travelling with sealed tinned food and perfumes without citing any regulation, and created conditions that encouraged extortion.

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Her account attracted significant attention on social media, prompting FAAN to announce an investigation into the incident. The authority said its Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, had directed an immediate probe to establish the facts and determine whether any operational or professional standards were breached.

Responding to the allegations, airport officials insisted that the manual inspection followed standard international aviation security procedures, and that Oberiko initially refused to open her luggage after security officers identified items requiring further examination through X-ray screening.

According to airport officials familiar with the incident, Oberiko initially declined to disclose the contents of her checked baggage when asked by airline personnel. They said that after the luggage passed through the X-ray screening machine, security officers identified items requiring further examination and recalled the bag for a physical inspection in line with established aviation security procedures.

The officials alleged that she refused repeated requests to open the bag, delaying the screening process for more than five minutes before eventually complying. They further claimed she became confrontational during the inspection and began recording the encounter despite attempts by security personnel to explain the reason for the additional screening.

According to the officials, the manual inspection revealed six tins of evaporated milk and two tins of sardines that were not properly packaged for carriage in checked baggage. They maintained that the items were not rejected because they were prohibited, but because of the manner in which they had been packed.

They said United Nigeria Airlines security personnel advised that the quantity of canned items and the size of the bag required more secure packaging before they could be accepted for transportation.

Airport officials further alleged that Oberiko escalated the confrontation by climbing onto the X-ray screening machine and refusing to come down until her sister persuaded her. They also claimed the canned items were eventually removed from the luggage and handed over to her mother.

Officials stressed that manual baggage inspection is a globally accepted aviation security procedure whenever X-ray images are inconclusive, adding that the process is intended to ensure passenger safety and regulatory compliance.

Some airport sources also suggested the confrontation may have been staged to generate online engagement, noting that Oberiko’s publicly accessible Facebook profile identifies her as a content creator.

However, the claim has not been independently verified, and there is no official confirmation that the incident was orchestrated.

Reacting to the controversy, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed it had commenced an investigation.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said its Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, had ordered an immediate investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining “the highest standards of professionalism, safety, security and customer service” across airports under its management.

“The authority appreciates the public’s interest and assures all airport users that every complaint is treated with the seriousness it deserves. FAAN remains committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement in the delivery of safe, secure and passenger-focused airport services,” the statement said.

However, Oberiko, in her account, described the incident as “the worst airport experience” of her life and alleged misconduct by airport security personnel.

In an initial statement posted on her Facebook page, she called for an investigation into what she described as intimidation, extortion or unnecessary intrusion.

She alleged that after checking in, FAAN personnel subjected her checked luggage to a manual search, insisted she could not travel with sealed canned food items and perfumes, and failed to provide any regulation justifying the action.

According to Oberiko, the incident caused delays, damaged her luggage and left her distressed.

She further claimed that members of her family had experienced similar treatment at the airport, including alleged demands for money before being allowed to travel with items initially declared prohibited.

Oberiko urged FAAN and the NCAA to determine whether the manual searches complied with established screening procedures, investigate the conduct of the officers involved and introduce measures to prevent similar incidents.

She also argued that routine manual searches of checked baggage could create opportunities for abuse, including extortion, mishandling of passengers’ belongings and the possible planting of incriminating items in passengers’ luggage.

It should be noted that the airport holds the record for the best safety management system in Nigeria and is the current winner of the Nigeria Aviation Award (NIGAV) for Best Safety Management System. (The Nation)

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