The Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Micheal Achimugu in a statement reported that Air France deboarded a passenger –a French national- at the Abuja International Airport due to unruly behaviour in the aircraft, which he termed as safety risk for other passengers.
Achimugu emphasized that the French national was not supposed to deplane because he wasn’t travelling to Nigeria, however his aircraft had a stopped over in Abuja to pick passengers from Nigeria but he became a safety risk and was thereby removed.
The NCAA Publicist revealed that two other airlines refused to fly the French national in their aircrafts due to his disruptive behavior he exhibited aboard Air France.
He stated this on Wednesday on his X handle, reporting that the Immigration Service ensure that the foreign traveler did not enter into the country since he does not have a Nigeria visa
However he was visited by staff of the French Embassy and a doctor who examined him and then granted accommodation in the hotel within the airport terminal.
According to Achimugu: “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.
“NCAA Consumer Protection regional head, Miriam Anosike, understanding the security, safety, and diplomatic ramifications of the case, addressed Air France personnel sternly, reminding them that they brought the passenger to Nigeria and must be responsible for airlifting him out of Nigeria as he is becoming a liability to the country.
The NCAA who commended Anosike’s effort revealed that she had shouted at Air France: “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!”
“Tomorrow night, we will monitor Air France operations to ensure that the passenger is safely airlifted. Kudos to the men of the NIS who also kept their cool all through.” Achimugu explained

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth