UNRULY FRENCH PASSENGER DISRUPTS FLIGHTS AT ABUJA AIRPORT
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An unruly French citizen was reportedly deboarded by Air France at Abuja Airport on New Year’s Day after causing security and diplomatic concerns at the aerodrome.
The unnamed foreign national disrupted multiple flights, prompting security personnel to remove him from the aircraft and restrict his access to the boarding area.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, shared details of the incident on his X account late Wednesday.
He confirmed that the passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, was initially deboarded from an Air France flight “due to disruptive behaviour that posed a safety risk to other passengers.”
Achimugu explained that the irate passenger, who arrived in Abuja without a valid Nigerian visa, was denied entry into the country.
“Air France accommodated him in a hotel within the airport terminal after a visit from staff of the French Embassy and a medical doctor. However, his erratic behaviour continued.
“After Air France refused to airlift him back to his country, British Airways also declined to accept him on board due to his disruptive conduct and his failure to provide proof of payment for his ticket,” Achimugu stated.
He further disclosed, “Since he did not possess a Nigerian visa, he was not allowed into Abuja. Being a French national, he was visited by staff of the French Embassy and a doctor and was granted accommodation in a hotel within the airport terminal.
“Later, British Airways deboarded him due to the same unruly behaviour displayed aboard Air France. Today, he was scheduled to depart via Asky but could not present evidence of payment for the e-ticket he provided. The airline declined to airlift him.”
Achimugu noted that immigration officials faced significant challenges handling the erratic passenger, who was seen littering the airport terminal with tissue paper while shouting, “My passport, my passport.”
“Apparently, the immigration officers wanted to ensure that he boarded his flight before handing him his international passport to prevent him from escaping through the exit gate and into the city,” Achimugu added.
As of the time of filing this report, it can’t be independently confirmed if the passenger had been returned to his country, as the NCAA spokesperson had yet to respond to calls or text messages regarding the matter.
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