The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu in a press release revealed that an irate passenger of Ibom Air Flight on Wednesday held the Aircraft hostage because her bags was not loaded on the plane.
The unnamed female passenger was reported to had agreed that alongside some other passengers with 20kg worth of luggage that her bags will arrive on the next flight, only for her to block the aisle.
Achimugu stated that the unruly behavior caused the Airline millions of naira and the other passengers’ time wastage and money
According to the NCAA crisis communications expert: “All passengers had been informed during check-in that, due to weight restrictions, some or all of their luggage MAY NOT arrive on the same flight. Passengers with luggage above 20kg signed indemnity forms in this regard, while those whose bags were in the region of 20kg were informed verbally that their bags would arrive on the next scheduled flight. They agreed, including this passenger.
“After boarding, she noticed that her bag was not among the luggage loaded into the bowels of the aircraft. She angrily stepped down from the aircraft and insisted that her bags be loaded. Otherwise, NOBODY was going to fly.
“Even the intervention of FAAN AVSEC and the pilot did not let her budge. The pilot offered to carry her checked in bag in the cabin, but the size did not fit.
“AVSEC then explained to the angry passenger that she would have to be deboarded if she refused to travel without the bag. She asked to be allowed to pick her handbag from the cabin, only to get in there and block the aisle, insisting that the flight would not depart without her bags.
“Among the 89 other passengers was an infant and a chef who was travelling to provide paid service to a big client in Abuja.
“Despite all pleas, she held the plane hostage until the airspace was closed. Consequently, the pilot had to announce a cancellation of the flight.
“It was at that moment that other passengers became irate.
“The airline had to provide immediate refreshment, transportation for passengers who were resident in Uyo, and hotel accommodation for those who came from out of town at great and avoidable cost.
This means that the airline would have catered twice for the same flight.”
The lady was said to had given stated that in December of 2024 “her luggage was delayed as well. She didn’t want a repeat of that situation.”
However, the airline stated differently, stating that her bags were delivered to her in Aba.

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
Video credit: X/@mikeachimugu01