Elderly passenger removed from flight After threatening to slap cabin crew
An elderly passenger was removed from a Nigerian commercial aircraft on Wednesday after he allegedly threatened a flight attendant and refused to follow safety instructions. The incident was confirmed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
According to Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s spokesperson, the passenger was seated in an emergency exit row, a section designated for individuals who can assist in an emergency evacuation.
When the cabin crew asked him to move to comply with international aviation safety regulations, the passenger refused to cooperate. “Despite being briefed on the importance of the switch, the passenger declined and refused to cooperate,” Achimugu stated.
READ ALSO: Ibom Air bans passenger after violent assault on crew, staff (Video)
The situation worsened when the passenger allegedly threatened a female cabin crew member on two separate occasions, telling her he would “slap her.” The pilot, alerted to the disruption, called for airport security, Air Force personnel, and NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to board the aircraft and intervene.
The passenger was informed that due to his threats and refusal to follow instructions, the pilot would not allow him to stay on the flight. Security officers and NCAA officials escorted him back to the terminal.
Achimugu noted that the passenger later “appeared to grasp the seriousness of his actions” and was expected to continue his journey on a later flight.
The NCAA emphasised that the removal was not a punishment but a necessary safety measure. “Threats of violence against cabin crew are unacceptable. Safety and comfort of all passengers must remain a shared priority,” Achimugu said.
The agency urged passengers with complaints to contact the NCAA Consumer Protection Department and appealed for mutual respect and adherence to safety protocols.
READ ALSO: Passengers must switch off phones during flights – NCAA
This incident follows two other recent, widely publicised disputes involving passengers on Nigerian flights: the deplaning of musician Kwam1 from an Ibom Air flight and another incident involving a woman who was also removed from an Ibom Air flight.
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