The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has provided fresh clarification on the altercation involving a passenger and officials of Enugu Air, confirming that an investigation has been launched into the matter.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, was captured in a viral video showing aviation security operatives dragging a man out of an aircraft after an altercation with airline staff.
Reports indicated that the passenger had refused to switch off his mobile phone despite repeated instructions from aviation authorities ahead of landing or take-off. The situation later escalated when the passenger resisted, prompting intervention by aviation security personnel.
Reacting to the development, Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, told The Cable that the agency was already investigating the matter.
“Right now, we are still investigating to get the full information about what happened. So far, what we have gathered is that a passenger was meant to switch off his mobile phone but he refused to abide by that instruction and other passengers in the aeroplane also joined in asking him to turn off his mobile phone and when he refused to do that, the security on the ground were alerted,” Orah explained.
She further disclosed that the refusal unsettled other passengers onboard, forcing the crew to escalate the matter.
“Even the passengers were not comfortable with him refusing to switch off his phone and the security had to deplane him,” Orah added.
According to her, the passenger became unruly, and the pilot escalated the matter to the controller. The flight, which was scheduled to depart Enugu for Lagos, was delayed until the passenger was deplaned.
