Air Peace Removes Passenger from Abuja-Bound Flight Over Alleged Threat

Air Peace has removed a passenger from an Abuja-bound flight after he allegedly threatened that his anger could “burn down” the aircraft during a confrontation with cabin crew.

The incident occurred on Monday aboard flight P47866, which was preparing for take-off when the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, allegedly refused repeated instructions to stop taking photographs and put away his device.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident in a post on X, explaining that the disagreement escalated into an altercation.

According to Achimugu, the passenger allegedly made the threatening remark during the confrontation, prompting the captain to be alerted.

The captain subsequently initiated a ramp return at 15:57, allowing airport personnel to remove Ezeudu from the aircraft.

Achimugu said the passenger’s travelling companion also voluntarily disembarked from the flight.

He added that Ezeudu told officials his anger stemmed from missing an earlier flight, although he allegedly did not anticipate that his conduct would result in the aircraft returning to the ramp.

The incident highlights the importance of passengers complying with cabin crew instructions, particularly during critical stages of flight operations, when any disruption can raise safety concerns.

The NCAA has not disclosed whether further regulatory or legal action will be taken against the passenger.