An Asaba-bound Air Peace flight P47866 was delayed on Monday following a heated altercation between a passenger and the cabin crew which forced the pilot to return the aircraft to the ramp.
Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a statement on Monday said the passenger, Celestine Ezeudu, refused to comply with instructions from cabin crew to stop taking photographs and put away his mobile phone as the aircraft begins preparation for take-off.
Achimugu said the situation escalated after another crew member approached Ezeudu and asked him to comply with the instructions.
Rather than comply with the directives Ezeudu said: “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.
“The crew immediately alerted the captain who then initiated a ramp return at 1557HRS. The passenger complied with instructions to be removed from the aircraft without further struggle.
“His friend and co-traveller on the same flight also disembarked of his own will, in solidarity with the unruly passenger,” Achimugu said.
The NCAA official added that the passenger was questioned about his conduct after the incident.
During the interrogation, Ezeudu reportedly explained that he was angry because he had missed an earlier flight. However, he claimed he did not realise that his actions would result in the aircraft returning to the parking area and delaying the journey.
Achimugu stressed that passengers must obey cabin crew instructions at all times, warning against behaviour that could disrupt flight operations or create unnecessary safety concerns.
