Baywood Group Executive Vice Chairman Accuses Airport Officer of Demanding Cash Before International Departure

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Fresh concerns have emerged over alleged extortion practices at Nigeria’s international airports after Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, Executive Vice Chairman of Baywood Group and Founder of CBI Digital Media, owners of CBI News, accused an airport security officer of demanding a $100 payment before allowing him to proceed with his journey at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, during Emperor Ibe’s departure for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

According to Emperor Ibe, the encounter began as a routine security screening before escalating into what he described as an attempt to extort money from him.

Emperor Ibe said he was asked by an airport officer about his destination and the amount of cash he was carrying. He disclosed that he had $7,000 on him for the trip.

The officer allegedly instructed him to register the amount in an official logbook despite Emperor Ibe questioning the necessity of doing so, noting that passengers are generally required to declare cash only when carrying amounts above the regulatory threshold.

After recording the amount, Emperor Ibe claimed the officer requested to physically inspect the money before allegedly asking for $100.

“He asked me if I could give him $100. I asked why I should give him $100,” Emperor Ibe recounted.

According to him, the situation quickly became tense after he declined the request.

Heated Exchange at Departure Point

Emperor Ibe alleged that the officer became visibly displeased and subsequently insisted on searching his luggage.

He said he challenged the request, arguing that he had already complied with the cash declaration process and had no reason to be subjected to additional scrutiny.

The disagreement reportedly attracted the attention of other passengers and airport personnel as both parties engaged in a heated argument.

Emperor Ibe maintains that the search was not prompted by any security concern but was allegedly carried out because he refused to hand over money.

He further alleged that some airport officials deliberately delay passengers who decline such requests, sometimes placing them at risk of missing their flights.

“I was prepared to miss my flight rather than give anyone money,” he said.

“This Damages Nigeria’s Image”

The incident has reignited conversations about the longstanding complaints of harassment, unofficial payments, and extortion allegedly faced by travellers at some Nigerian airports.

Emperor Ibe argued that such practices undermine ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve Nigeria’s international image and attract investment and tourism.

According to him, while authorities continue to project a positive image of the country abroad, the actions of a few officials at points of entry and exit risk damaging those efforts.

He also expressed concern that many travellers are unaware of their rights and may feel pressured into making unofficial payments to avoid delays or complications during their journeys.

“The overwhelming presence of various security agencies is quite intimidating and embarrassing, with each one asking passengers to open their bags,” Emperor Ibe said.

According to him, foreigners and Nigerians alike are often subjected to repeated checks and scrutiny by multiple agencies while travelling through Nigerian airports.

He questioned why airports equipped with modern scanning machines still require passengers to undergo repeated physical baggage searches after their luggage has already been screened.

“Why do we have modern scanning machines at our airports, yet security agencies still pull almost everyone aside after the scan to insist on physically searching bags? It is unnecessary, intimidating, and discouraging,” he said.

Emperor Ibe noted that agencies commonly involved in passenger screening include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Security, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

He argued that while security agencies must retain the authority to search passengers where there is reasonable suspicion, routine physical searches of nearly every traveller create unnecessary inconvenience and contribute to a negative travel experience.

“We are not saying that suspected passengers should not be searched where necessary, but not every passenger passing through the airport should be subjected to the kind of embarrassment many travellers experience,” he stated.

Emperor Ibe further called on authorities to make it clear that intimidating or harassing passengers for the purpose of extortion is unacceptable and should attract severe disciplinary sanctions.

Long-Standing Concern at Nigerian Airports

Allegations of extortion, harassment, and unofficial demands for money at Nigerian airports are not new.

Over the years, travellers, aviation stakeholders, business executives, foreign visitors, and ordinary Nigerians have repeatedly raised concerns about the conduct of some officials operating at the country’s international airports.

A 2024 report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on corruption risks at Lagos and Abuja international airports found that 62.2 percent of passengers surveyed said airport officials normally demand bribes while carrying out their duties, while 52.5 percent admitted they had at one time given tips, gifts, or bribes to airport officials.

The report also identified excessive human contact, malfunctioning screening equipment, and repeated manual baggage checks as factors that create opportunities for corruption.

The report further noted that many passengers are unaware of their rights and obligations, making them vulnerable to intimidation and exploitation by corrupt officials.

Previous Passenger Complaints

Numerous passengers have publicly shared experiences similar to those described by Emperor Ibe.

In 2021, travellers interviewed by Nairametrics recounted encounters with officials from multiple agencies who allegedly demanded money, foreign currency, or valuables while processing outbound passengers at airports in Lagos and Abuja.

Some passengers claimed they were subjected to additional checks or delays after refusing to make unofficial payments.

In 2024, passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos told The Nation newspaper that they faced repeated scrutiny and harassment from security and paramilitary personnel allegedly seeking gratification.

Several travellers complained that despite efforts to streamline airport screening processes, multiple checkpoints still expose passengers to unnecessary interactions with officials.

More recently, in July 2026, a traveller petitioned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alleging harassment and extortion by airport enforcement personnel in Lagos and calling for an independent investigation.

Government Efforts to Address the Problem

Successive airport administrations have acknowledged the damage such allegations can cause to Nigeria’s international reputation.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has previously admitted that extortion complaints have discouraged some travellers from using Nigerian airports and has introduced measures aimed at reducing human contact between officials and passengers.

These measures include enhanced surveillance systems, passenger awareness campaigns, and the deployment of undercover monitoring personnel to identify erring officials.

In June 2024, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo publicly acknowledged receiving numerous complaints about extortion and solicitation of money at Nigeria’s international airports.

He described the issue as one that has negatively affected the country’s image and said efforts were ongoing to address the problem in collaboration with relevant agencies.

Eyewitness Accounts Reflect Similar Experiences

Several travellers interviewed by national media over the years have described a recurring pattern: repeated baggage inspections after security screening, requests for “tips” or “show me love” payments, prolonged questioning, and delays when unofficial payments are refused.

While these accounts vary in detail and have not always resulted in disciplinary findings, they collectively point to a problem that many passengers believe requires urgent attention.

For many stakeholders, the issue extends beyond individual incidents. They argue that reducing unnecessary human interaction, enforcing accountability measures, and increasing passenger awareness of their rights are critical steps toward restoring confidence in Nigeria’s airports and improving the country’s image among international travellers.

Calls for Investigation

Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, Executive Vice Chairman of Baywood Group and Founder of CBI Digital Media, owners of CBI News, is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and wants relevant airport authorities and security agencies to review the conduct of officers operating at international terminals.

He also urged aviation and customs authorities to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that passengers are treated professionally and respectfully.

The allegations made by Emperor Ibe have not been independently verified by CBI News, and the officer involved had not publicly responded to the claims as of the time of filing this report.

CBI News has reached out to relevant authorities for comment and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Why This Matters

Nigeria has made significant investments in improving airport infrastructure and enhancing the passenger experience in recent years. However, recurring allegations of unofficial payments, harassment, and excessive screening continue to generate concerns among travellers and industry stakeholders.

Aviation experts say addressing such complaints swiftly and transparently is critical to maintaining public confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s reputation as a welcoming destination for business, tourism, and international investment.

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