Nigerian airline removes passenger after threat to “burn down” aircraft

A Nigerian airline has eliminated a passenger from one among its aircraft after he allegedly threatened that his anger might “burn down” the aircraft throughout a confrontation with the cabin crew earlier than take-off.

The incident occurred aboard an Air Peace flight P47866, scheduled to fly to Asaba, Delta State, after the passenger, recognized as Celestine Ezeudu, allegedly refused repeated directions from the cabin crew to cease taking footage and put away his machine.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident in a submit on X on Monday.

According to Mr Achimugu, the scenario escalated when one other crew member approached Mr Ezeudu, main to a wrangle throughout which he allegedly made the threat.

“The passenger ignored the instructions and when a second member of the crew approached, an altercation broke out, and the passenger made a statement: ‘The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane,’” Mr Achimugu mentioned.

He mentioned the crew instantly alerted the captain, who initiated a ramp return at 15:57, permitting the passenger to be faraway from the aircraft.

Mr Ezeudu reportedly complied with directions to disembark with out additional resistance, whereas his travelling companion additionally left the aircraft voluntarily.

Mr Achimugu mentioned the passenger later defined that his anger stemmed from lacking an earlier flight, however he had not anticipated that his conduct would lead to the aircraft returning to the ramp.

The incident comes amid recurring confrontations between passengers and aviation personnel in Nigeria, a few of which have triggered flight disruptions, arrests and sanctions.

In August 2025, Ibom Air reported a confrontation involving passenger Comfort Emmanson on its Uyo-Lagos flight.

The airline mentioned the incident started earlier than a take-off in Uyo when Ms Emmanson refused to change off her cell phone after being instructed to accomplish that in keeping with aviation security procedures.

Although the scenario was initially resolved and the flight departed, the airline mentioned Ms Emmanson later confronted the cabin crew member who had given the instruction after the aircraft arrived in Lagos.

Ibom Air alleged that she assaulted the crew member, one other cabin crew member and safety personnel, and tried to take away a hearth extinguisher from the aircraft.

ALSO READ: Air Peace blames fuel shortage, weather for Abuja-Maiduguri flight cancellation

She was subsequently restrained, faraway from the aircraft and handed over to the police for investigation. The incident generated widespread public debate after movies of the confrontation circulated on-line.

Another aviation disruption occurred in August 2025 involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly often known as KWAM 1, on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The incident adopted a disagreement over a flask containing liquid he was trying to take aboard a ValueJet aircraft sure for Lagos.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria mentioned Mr Ayinde allegedly obstructed the aircraft from taxiing after boarding had been accomplished, prompting airport safety personnel to intervene.

The NCAA subsequently initiated motion over the incident, whereas the aviation minister introduced sanctions that have been later reviewed following the musician’s apology.

It has repeatedly warned towards unruly behaviour on aircraft, together with verbal abuse, bodily assault, refusal to adjust to crew directions and conduct that threatens aviation security.

Passengers who’ve complaints about airline companies are anticipated to use acceptable channels fairly than confront crew members or intrude with flight operations.