Passengers and crew on an Ibom Air flight witnessed chaotic scenes on Sunday when a female passenger allegedly assaulted a flight attendant and resisted security intervention at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
Videos shared on social media showed the visibly agitated passenger, reportedly on a Uyo-to-Lagos flight, confronting a flight attendant onboard, jabbing her finger at the crew member’s head, and accusing her of wrongdoing. The attendant could be heard saying, “She is hitting me,” while remaining calm.
Footage also captured the woman, after disembarking, shouting at airport security personnel, pushing away cameras, and struggling against those attempting to restrain her. Her shirt appeared torn, and witnesses claimed she had earlier slapped a crew member. She was eventually overpowered and taken away in an airport security vehicle.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the altercation stemmed from the passenger’s refusal to comply with standard flight protocols.
“When cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone before takeoff or landing, simply comply,” Achimugu wrote on X. “Passengers need to understand that they have responsibilities, not just rights.”
The NCAA said it will address the incident as more details emerge.
The drama comes less than a week after another high-profile disruption at the Abuja airport involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, which led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots and an indefinite travel ban on the artiste pending investigation.
