By Our Correspondent
Air Peace has removed a passenger from one of its flights following a confrontation with cabin crew members over alleged refusal to comply with safety instructions and a disturbing remark that his anger could burn down the aircraft.
The incident occurred on Monday aboard flight P47866, shortly before take-off, when the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, reportedly ignored repeated instructions from cabin crew to stop taking photographs and secure his mobile phone.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident in a statement shared on social media.
According to Achimugu, the situation escalated when another crew member approached Ezeudu after he allegedly failed to comply with the initial instructions. An argument reportedly ensued, during which the passenger made a remark suggesting that the level of anger he was experiencing could burn down the aircraft.
Concerned by the statement, the cabin crew immediately alerted the captain, who initiated a return to the airport ramp at about 3:57 p.m.
Ezeudu was subsequently instructed to disembark from the aircraft, a directive he reportedly obeyed without further resistance.
His travelling companion also voluntarily left the aircraft in solidarity with him.
Achimugu said the passenger was questioned following the incident and reportedly explained that his frustration stemmed from missing an earlier flight.
He added that Ezeudu apparently did not anticipate that his conduct would result in the aircraft returning to the ramp and his removal from the flight.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of passengers complying with cabin crew instructions, particularly during pre-flight operations, when adherence to established safety procedures is essential to protecting passengers and aircraft.
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