Airport Shock: Navy Officer Yerima Allegedly Tries To Board Flight With Gun After Skipping Screening

According to SaharaReporters, the lieutenant reportedly entered the boarding area through the airport’s military wing, avoiding the regular civilian security checkpoints, before trying to board a ValueJet Airlines flight.

Sources claimed the officer was carrying a pistol — an item prohibited for passengers on commercial flights under Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, unless it is properly declared and processed through approved security channels.

Aviation officials familiar with the incident said airline security personnel discovered the breach and prevented him from boarding with the weapon.

They reportedly insisted that he follow the same civil aviation rules that apply to all travellers, including uniformed officers flying commercially.

After initially resisting, Lieutenant Yerima was said to have complied with the required screening and firearm declaration procedures and was eventually allowed to board.

However, the situation reportedly escalated afterwards.

Sources revealed that the Nigerian military later sent an official letter to ValueJet Airlines, accusing the airline of disrespecting military personnel and demanding an apology for stopping the officer from boarding with his firearm.

Insiders noted that Yerima allegedly bypassed the designated civilian screening points entirely by entering through the restricted military terminal, an action said to breach aviation safety regulations.

Under existing rules, all passengers — regardless of rank or status — must undergo screening, and any firearms must be formally declared and handled under strict security protocols.

Industry observers said the incident highlights a recurring problem at major Nigerian airports, where some military personnel allegedly refuse to submit to standard boarding procedures.

A senior ValueJet official, who spoke anonymously, told SaharaReporters that airline staff are often pressured or intimidated when they attempt to enforce compliance.

“This is not the first time. Some military personnel refuse to follow protocols and sometimes threaten airline officials when challenged,” the source said.

The official also admitted that airlines are sometimes complicit, as some carriers may allow such breaches to avoid conflict.

“They often send protocol officers to pick up boarding passes and move directly from the military wing to the aircraft without checks,” the source added.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has also been criticised for allegedly failing to act on repeated complaints regarding such security violations.

Sources claimed that reports submitted to FAAN over similar incidents frequently receive no response, with the authority accused of siding with military officers instead of enforcing aviation safety standards.

In a recent case at Port Harcourt International Airport, airline staff reportedly raised concerns about military personnel ignoring boarding protocols, but FAAN allegedly reprimanded the airline rather than sanctioning the officers involved.