NCAA escalates probe into Abuja-Calabar flight after passenger bleeds from heat

Abdullateef Fowewe

A Nigerian national, Bashir Usman, has recounted a distressing experience on an Abuja-to-Calabar flight on 26 October 2026, in which passengers endured about 50 minutes inside a closed aircraft without air conditioning or ventilation, leading him to start bleeding from the heat.

Bashir Usman, known online as Senator Bash, said the aircraft doors were shut at 12:07 p.m. with the engines off and no functioning air conditioning.

“The heat became unbearable, and I eventually started bleeding,” he wrote in a detailed post.

Cabin crew approached him and said he would have to disembark to avoid a medical emergency onboard.

He insisted he was fine, but fellow passengers intervened.

“Many of you spoke up, expressed your displeasure over the unbearable heat and lack of ventilation, and showed genuine concern for my wellbeing.

“Some of you took turns fanning me, while one particularly kind lady gave me her personal mini hand fan,” Usman stated.

Following the passengers’ support, he was allowed to remain onboard.

The flight, scheduled for about 45 minutes, arrived in Calabar at 2:04 p.m.

Usman expressed deep gratitude to those who assisted him, noting that the shared ordeal highlighted “humanity, compassion and solidarity.”

He tagged Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

In response, Achimugu confirmed he had spoken with Usman by phone.

He expressed empathy, noting that the senator explained heat has triggered similar bleeding episodes since childhood and that he is now okay.

However, Achimugu defended the cabin crew’s actions.

“From cabin crew perspective, they were following due process and ensuring the safety of the passengers who thought they were heroes by stopping cabin crew from doing their job.

“You knew it was heat stroke. They did not know that. You may have needed immediate medical attention. Especially with the recent Ebola scare, cabin crew is expected to be vigilant. They were doing their job,” he said.

Achimugu disclosed that, after learning the name of the airline privately, he is escalating the matter to the NCAA’s Directorate of Operations, Licensing, and Training Standards.

The directorate will examine why the aircraft had its doors shut with no air conditioning or ventilation “in this season of extreme heat,” and why no apology or explanation was reportedly offered for the delay.

He also cautioned passengers, “Not everything should be approached with emotions. They cannot stop cabin crew from doing their job. That crew is there to ensure your safety, not antagonise you.”

Achimugu provided Usman with an official email address to lodge a formal complaint so investigations can proceed, and advised him to stay hydrated.

The airline involved has not been publicly named by either party.