*Unruly Passenger Becomes Liability At Abuja Airport, Refuses To Leave Nigeria

A French national caused a commotion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after being removed from an Air France flight due to unruly behavior that posed a safety risk to other passengers.

The passenger, who did not possess a Nigerian visa, was denied entry into the country and accommodated in the airport terminal hotel following a visit from French Embassy staff and a doctor.

The situation escalated when the same passenger was later deboarded from a British Airways flight due to similar disruptive behavior. On the following day, the passenger attempted to depart via Asky Airlines but was unable to provide evidence of payment for his e-ticket, resulting in the airline declining to airlift him.

Immigration officials faced a challenging task in handling the erratic passenger, who was seen littering the clean terminal with tissue paper and shouting, “My passport, my passport.” The officers aimed to ensure the passenger boarded his flight before returning his international passport to prevent him from escaping through the exit gate and entering the city.

Miriam Anosike, the regional head of NCAA Consumer Protection, addressed the situation sternly with Air France personnel. She reminded them of their responsibility to airlift the passenger out of Nigeria, as he was becoming a liability to the country. Anosike stated, “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!”

Anosike’s years of experience as a Consumer Protection Officer proved invaluable in handling the delicate situation, which involved security, safety, and diplomatic considerations. The airport authorities plan to monitor Air France’s operations the following night to ensure the safe removal of the disruptive passenger from the country.