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Travellers at risk as scam, extortion rampant at Lagos Airport

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 5:19 GMT by Nigerian Tribune
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Travelers Beware: Scams and Extortion Plaguing Lagos Airport

Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the busiest gateway to Nigeria and Africa, has become a hotspot for travelers‑targeted scams and extortion. Tribune Online’s investigative piece, “Travelers at risk as scam extortion rampant at Lagos Airport,” details a surge in fraudulent activities that are now a regular part of the passenger experience at MMIA. The article, published in late August 2024, not only catalogues recent incidents but also offers practical advice for travelers, as well as commentary from officials and security experts.

The New Face of Airport Crime

The piece opens with a chilling anecdote: a Nigerian airline crew member who, after a routine flight, was approached by a man claiming to be an airport security guard. The man demanded a “fee” of ₦50,000 (approximately $125) for “processing” the crew’s baggage and the crew, having no other source of information, complied. The incident is one of many that Tribune has received from travelers in the last 12 months.

According to the article, the number of complaints lodged with the Lagos State Police and the Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA) rose by 32 % in 2023 compared with 2022, signalling a worrying trend. While some of these cases involve “con artists” posing as airport staff, others involve “informal “taxi‑drivers” who demand exorbitant fares at the curb and then claim they must “pay the airport authority.” The article points to an ongoing pattern of “layered extortion”—first a small bribe is requested, followed by a second, higher amount once the traveler has complied.

How the Scams Work

Tribune’s report details a typical scheme in a three‑step sequence:

1. Impersonation – The scammer presents themselves as an employee of the airport, airline, or immigration. In one case, a man in a uniform that matched the airport’s standard issue claimed to be a customs officer.
2. Pressure – The imposter uses the pretense of legal authority or urgent security protocol to convince the traveler that compliance is mandatory. In some cases, the scammer even “shows” a fake badge or a “sealed” document that supposedly needs immediate attention.
3. Extortion – Once the traveler is convinced, the scammer demands cash or a mobile money transfer. The amount requested can vary from ₦10,000 to ₦100,000 ($20–$200). The article notes that most extortionists have an “out‑of‑country” phone number they use to receive the payment.

The piece cites an interview with a former airport security officer who explained that many of these scams are coordinated by a network that has been “operating in the shadows for years.” The officer’s identity was withheld for safety reasons, but he described the network’s use of “rotating fronts” to avoid detection by authorities.

The Government’s Response

To understand how authorities are addressing the problem, the article links to a press release from the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohamed Abdul. The release, posted on the police’s official website, states that the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has launched a task force dedicated to cracking down on airport scams. The SIU has already seized six suspects on the grounds of MMIA, and investigators are in the process of mapping a “criminal network” that spans several states.

Another linked source is the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), which confirmed that all immigration officers at MMIA have received new training on “identification of counterfeit badges.” The NIS also encouraged passengers to verify the identity of any person who claims to represent them by requesting a photo ID or badge number before handing over money.

The article notes that the Nigerian Airports Authority has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for a “pilot program” that will deploy biometric verification kiosks at key checkpoints. The goal is to reduce “the scope for impersonation” by making it harder for fraudsters to mimic legitimate staff.

Real‑World Impact on Travelers

Tribune’s investigation includes testimony from several passengers who fell victim to these scams. In one case, a French tourist who had just arrived from Paris was approached by a man who claimed to be a “customs inspector.” After a tense conversation, the tourist handed over ₦75,000 ($160) in cash, only to discover that the “inspection” was non‑existent. The incident was so distressing that the tourist left a review on the airline’s website, calling the airport “dangerous” and warning other travelers to be vigilant.

In another case, a U.S. citizen traveling on a business trip was targeted by a “taxi driver” who demanded an exorbitant fare. After refusing, the driver claimed that “the airport’s security would detain him if he refused to pay.” The traveler was able to defuse the situation by calling the airport’s emergency number, 112, and was advised to report the driver to the police.

These anecdotes underscore the broader narrative that the article weaves: that travelers’ confidence in MMIA’s safety is eroding. The article cites a survey by the Lagos Travel Association (LTA), conducted in early 2024, which found that 45 % of respondents had heard of an airport scam, and 12 % had actually been a victim.

Practical Advice for Travelers

The Tribune article closes with a set of guidelines meant to help travelers avoid becoming targets:

The article also reminds travelers that mobile money services (such as M-Pesa, Paga, and Wave) are a safer alternative to cash in many situations, as they allow for traceable transactions and can be reversed if fraud is detected.

A Call to Action

In the final section, Tribune calls on all stakeholders—airlines, airport operators, law‑enforcement agencies, and travelers themselves—to collaborate in eradicating scams at MMIA. The piece references a joint statement from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Association of Nigerian Airlines (ANA), which pledged to increase on‑site security presence and to conduct regular audits of all airport service providers.

The article concludes by highlighting the urgency: “If the trend of scams continues unchecked, Lagos Airport could become a cautionary tale for the entire region.” The author encourages readers to stay informed, remain skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, and to share any suspicious encounters on social media using the hashtag #SafeMMIA—a campaign launched by the NAA to raise public awareness.

TL;DR:
Lagos Airport is facing a rising wave of scams and extortion, with travelers being targeted by impersonators demanding bribes. Authorities are taking steps, but the risk remains high. Travelers should verify identities, use official channels, keep receipts, report incidents immediately, and contact embassies if necessary. The collective effort of airlines, security agencies, and passengers is essential to curb this trend.