Unruly French passenger airlifted from Abuja airport after hours of abandonment
Abdullateef Fowewe
A disruptive French national was sedated and successfully boarded an Air France flight to Paris from Abuja International Airport late Thursday night, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed early Friday.
Dailyeconomy had earlier reported that the passenger (name held) had previously caused security concerns, leading to his removal from the flight.
Achimugu noted that key officials, including the Terminal Head, Miriam Anosike, Immigration Commander, Agada, and others coordinated efforts for his safe departure, ensuring the airline was responsible for his transport out of Nigeria after being examined by a doctor.
“Examined by a doctor and placed on a sedative, the unruly French national has finally boarded an Air France flight to CDG, Paris. I was physically present to witness his boarding at 10pm tonight, along with the very capable terminal head, Miriam Anosike who did a yeoman’s job in this case, Ifueko Abdulmalik, and gallant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“I must mention that the Immigration Commander at the airport, Mr. Agada was very cooperative. His willingness to collaborate with Miriam was the glue that held all of this together.
“We advised the airline to let the cabin crew have some of the administered sedatives in case the passenger displays any disruptive behaviour during the course of the flight.
“Kudos to both the NCAA, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Air France station manager who did an amazing job of attending to the passenger,” Achimugu had written.
Meanwhile, Achimugu early stated that the passenger after dropping him in Abuja without a valid Nigerian visa, was denied entry into the country, noting that “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.”
