Air Peace removes passenger after threat to ‘burn down’ aircraft over anger

Air Peace has removed a passenger from its Abuja-bound flight P47866 after he allegedly threatened that his anger could “burn down” the aircraft.

The incident occurred on Monday after the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, reportedly refused repeated instructions from cabin crew to stop taking pictures and put away his device as the aircraft prepared for take-off.

According to the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, the situation escalated into an altercation during which Ezeudu allegedly made the threat.

Achimugu disclosed the incident in a post on X, stating that the captain was immediately alerted and initiated a ramp return at 15:57 hours, leading to the passenger's removal from the aircraft.

He added that Ezeudu's travelling companion also voluntarily disembarked from the flight.

According to Achimugu, Ezeudu later explained that his anger was caused by missing an earlier flight but reportedly failed to realise that his behaviour would result in the aircraft returning to the ramp.

“In the crime room, Ezeudu claimed that his anger stemmed from missing an earlier flight, but he did not know that his behaviour would lead to a ramp return,” Achimugu added.

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