A female passenger narrowly avoided being lynched by an angry mob at a Nigerian airport after causing a major disruption that led to the cancellation of an Ibom Air flight bound for Abuja.
The altercation, which involved over 100 passengers and airline staff, unfolded on Saturday at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and has since sparked widespread outrage over the passenger’s actions and their repercussions.
According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the incident began when the airline informed passengers that any luggage exceeding the 20kg limit might not be transported on the same flight and could instead be sent on the next available one.
While most passengers accepted this arrangement, one unnamed woman became enraged upon discovering that her bag had not been loaded onto the aircraft.
Furious over the mishap, the woman disembarked from the aircraft and demanded that her bag be immediately placed on the plane, threatening to prevent the flight from departing unless her request was met. The tension escalated when officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and even the pilot intervened in an attempt to resolve the dispute. Despite their best efforts, the passenger remained uncooperative.
In a bid to accommodate her demands, the pilot even offered to allow her checked-in luggage to be carried in the cabin, but the size of the bag was incompatible with the space available. The situation was further complicated by the impending closure of Uyo’s airspace as the airport is classified as a sunset airport, where flights must depart before dusk. However, the passenger refused to relent, and her actions ultimately delayed the flight.
As the standoff continued, the passenger re-entered the cabin to retrieve her handbag and, in doing so, blocked the aisle, continuing her protest. Among the 89 other passengers on board were an infant and a chef traveling to Abuja for a professional engagement. The ongoing delays, compounded by the closing airspace, led to the flight’s eventual cancellation.
It was at this point that the situation took a dangerous turn. Passengers, frustrated and upset over the delay, charged at the woman, and had it not been for the swift intervention of AVSEC officials and Ibom Air staff, the situation could have turned violent. Amaka Echetabu, the lead staff member overseeing the incident, was praised for her timely response, which prevented the irate passengers from lynching the woman.
“Had Aviation Security not acted swiftly, the passenger might not have survived the ordeal,” Achimugu said. “Their intervention was critical in saving her life.”
Following the cancellation, the affected passengers were provided with refreshments, accommodations for those from out of town, and transport for those residing in Uyo. However, Achimugu noted that the disruption had caused significant logistical issues for the airline, and the fallout from the incident could take days to resolve.