Michael Achimugu, the director of consumer protection and public affairs at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stated that the passenger, whose name has not been released, was removed from an Air France flight due to behavior that endangered the safety of others.
Upon arriving in Abuja without a valid Nigerian visa, the passenger was denied entry into the country. Air France provided him accommodation in a hotel located within the airport terminal after intervention from representatives of the French Embassy and a medical professional. Nevertheless, his erratic conduct persisted.
The situation worsened when British Airways also declined to transport the individual due to similar disruptive actions. When it came time for his flight with Asky Airlines, the passenger was unable to present proof of ticket payment, resulting in the airline refusing him boarding.
Achimugu noted in a post on X on Wednesday that immigration officials encountered considerable difficulties in managing the passenger, who was observed littering the terminal with tissues and loudly demanding his passport.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) retained his passport to prevent him from leaving the airport unlawfully.
“Since he did not possess a Nigerian visa, he was not allowed into Abuja. Being a French national, he was visited by staff of the French Embassy and a doctor and then granted accommodation in the hotel within the airport terminal.
“Later, British Airways deboarded him due to the same unruly behaviour he had put up aboard Air France.
“Today, he was supposed to depart via Asky but could not present evidence of payment for the e-‘ticket’ he presented. The airline declined to airlift him.
“Immigration officials had quite a hectic time handling the erratic passenger who can be seen littering our clean terminal with what seems to be tissue paper and screaming, “My passport, my passport.”
“Apparently, the Immigration officers wanted to ensure that he boarded his flight before handing the passenger his international passport to prevent him from escaping through the exit gate and into the city.”
Miriam Anosike, the regional head of NCAA Consumer Protection, emphasized the security, safety, and diplomatic implications of the situation. She firmly addressed the Air France staff, reminding them of their responsibility in bringing the passenger to Nigeria and their obligation to ensure his safe departure, as he was becoming a liability for the country.
“If you are afraid to airlift him, why do you expect other airlines to be responsible for him? Get him a ticket and move him tomorrow!,”
The incident has sparked worries regarding potential security shortcomings at the airport. Questions have arisen about the decision to allow the passenger to disembark, with suggestions that aviation security should have intervened and detained him sooner.
Dípò Awójídé replying to @mikeachimugu01, said “Aviation Security should always be on alert and should have detained him earlier than the time it took to record this video. Once you start acting strange and out of control within the Airport the person should be detained. Anything could happen within 10-30 seconds. I commend the restraint of these officers but we need to act faster next time.”
Also @eyin_mbakara replying to @mikeachimugu01 said
“With what I can take from your explanation I think there are some security lapses both from the airline, FAAN and NIS. He was not supposed to deplane in the first place then what happened, why allowed him to even pass the boarding gate,”
The NCAA has announced that it will oversee Air France's operations to guarantee the safe evacuation of the passenger from Nigeria.