Anietie Udobit,Abuja
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that a female passenger who caused a major disruption on an Abuja-bound Ibom Air flight would be prosecuted.
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In a statement on Monday, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, revealed that the passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, had been handed over to the police and subsequently charged in court.
Achimugu said, “The passenger will face the full extent of the law. The NCAA continues to educate stakeholders about unruly behaviour and its consequences.”
The incident occurred after the airline announced that luggage exceeding 20kg would be transported on a subsequent flight.
While other passengers complied, the woman became irate upon discovering her bag was not loaded onto the plane.
She disembarked and demanded that her luggage be immediately added, threatening to prevent the flight from taking off if her demands were not met.
Despite attempts by airline staff and other passengers to resolve the issue, the woman’s actions escalated, ultimately forcing the cancellation of the flight.
Achimugu added, “This situation was preventable. It highlights the need for better coordination between Avsec, FAAN, and other stakeholders. However, no justification excuses the passenger’s behaviour, which is why she will face the full wrath of the law.”
The passenger reportedly spent two nights in police detention before being granted bail.
Achimugu noted that certain acts, such as obstructing a flight’s movement, could even be classified as terrorism depending on the severity, a determination left to the police.
He said the NCAA is now reviewing the incident to improve protocols for handling disruptive passengers.