Air Peace passenger removed after alleged threatening remark, NCAA official says
An Air Peace passenger was removed from a flight after allegedly making a threatening remark during a disagreement with cabin crew on November 9, according to an official of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, said the incident aboard flight P47866 prompted the captain to return the aircraft to the parking area before departure.
In a November 9 post reproduced by Channels Television and other outlets, Achimugu alleged that the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, refused instructions to stop taking photographs and put away his device as the aircraft prepared for take-off.
He said an argument followed when another crew member approached the passenger. Ezeudu allegedly said: “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.”
According to Achimugu, the crew alerted the captain, who initiated a return to the parking area. The passenger complied with instructions to leave the aircraft without further resistance, while his travelling companion voluntarily disembarked.
Although several reports described the flight as Abuja-bound, the incident account reproduced in the coverage gives its destination as ABB, the airport code for Asaba. Flightradar24’s November 9 listing for P47866 also identifies the route as Abuja to Asaba.
Achimugu said the passenger later attributed his anger to missing an earlier flight. That explanation was relayed through the official’s account; IDNN did not obtain it directly from Ezeudu.
The reviewed reports did not include a direct response from Ezeudu or a separate statement from Air Peace. No arrest, charge or subsequent sanction was verified.