Air Peace removed a passenger from Abuja-bound flight P47866 on Monday after he allegedly threatened that his anger could “burn down” the aircraft.
In a post on X on Monday, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu said the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, allegedly ignored repeated instructions from cabin crew to stop taking pictures and put away his device as the aircraft prepared for take-off.
Achimugu said the situation escalated into an altercation, during which Ezeudu allegedly made the threat.
The captain was alerted and initiated a ramp return at 15:57, after which Ezeudu was removed from the aircraft. His travelling companion also chose to disembark.
Achimugu said Ezeudu later explained that he was angry because he had missed an earlier flight, but did not realise his behaviour would lead to the aircraft returning to the ramp.
Edited airline statement:
Air Peace flight P47866 to Abuja returned to the ramp following an unruly-behaviour incident onboard. A passenger, Celestine Ezeudu, allegedly refused cabin crew instructions to stop taking pictures and put away his device as the aircraft prepared for take-off.
When a second crew member approached him, an altercation reportedly broke out. The passenger allegedly said, “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.”
The crew alerted the captain, who initiated a ramp return at 15:57. The passenger complied with instructions to leave the aircraft without further incident.
His friend and fellow passenger also chose to disembark.
Achimugu said Ezeudu later explained that he was angry because he had missed an earlier flight, but did not realise his behaviour would lead to the aircraft returning to the ramp.
