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An elderly passenger was today removed from a commercial aircraft after he allegedly threatened to slap a member of the cabin crew during a dispute over an exit row seat.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed the incident in a post on X.
He wrote: “Earlier today, an elderly passenger whose seat selection happened to be by the exit door was asked by cabin crew to have their seat reassigned. The passenger vehemently declined despite being made to understand the reasons why the switch had to be made. He threatened twice to slap the hostess. As a result, the pilot called in airport security, including the Air Force, to remove the passenger.”
Achimugu explained that NCAA Consumer Protection Officers were brought in to de-escalate the situation.
“The passenger was advised per the threats made and why he had to be deplaned. The pilot insisted on not flying the passenger for safety reasons. Airport security and NCAA officials have led him back to the terminal. He has understood the ramifications of his actions and has calmed down. He will be allowed to board the evening flight later today,” he added.
Exit row seats are reserved for able-bodied passengers who can assist in operating emergency doors if the need arises. Airlines are required by international aviation regulations to reassign such seats if a passenger is considered unable, unwilling, or unsafe to take on that responsibility. This was the reason the elderly passenger was asked to move, according to NCAA officials.
The NCAA spokesman also reminded travellers that violence or threats of violence against crew members would not be tolerated, urging dissatisfied passengers to lodge complaints through the Consumer Protection Department portal rather than resort to confrontation.
“Threats of violence against cabin crew are not acceptable. Let us all ensure to keep our skies safe and allow other passengers to enjoy their flying experience,” Achimugu noted.
Achimugu’s X post did not specify the airport where the incident occurred, and efforts by Newsmakerslive.org to reach him for clarification before publication were unsuccessful.
The case adds to a growing list of unruly passenger incidents in Nigeria.
In July, popular fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM1, was caught on video in a heated confrontation with airport officials following a dispute over the content of a flask he was carrying.
Later, same month, a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson was removed from a flight after clashing with cabin crew.
Both incidents stirred public debate on the boundaries of passenger conduct and airline responsibility.
Aviation sources told Newsmakerslive.org that one of the resolutions reached at a recent stakeholders’ meeting was the need for an upward review of the fine for unruly behavior, which currently stands at N250,000.
Globally, regulators impose far stiffer penalties. Under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, unruly passenger behavior is considered a serious safety risk.
In countries like the United States, offenders can face fines up to $37,000 per violation and potential jail terms.
In the UK, threatening or assaulting crew members can attract sentences of up to two years in prison, while endangering the safety of an aircraft carries penalties of up to five years.
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