Nigeria
Unruly French Citizen Sedated, Deported After Disrupting Flights at Abuja Airport – NCAA
The NCAA details how an unruly French citizen causing flight disruptions at Abuja Airport was sedated and deported in compliance with aviation regulations.
A French traveler who caused a disturbance at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja has been deported to France following sedation by medical professionals.
The passenger, who entered Nigeria on an Air France flight lacking a valid visa, was refused entry into the country and subsequently created a disturbance that raised security and diplomatic concerns.
Two days prior, the passenger’s disruptive behavior compelled immigration officials to remove him from an Air France plane and prohibit his access to the boarding area. The incident attracted attention from both security staff and airport management.
On Friday, Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed an update regarding the passenger’s deportation.
Achimugu posted on his X account (formerly known as Twitter) that after being examined by a doctor and given a sedative, the disruptive French national has finally boarded an Air France flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Achimugu praised the efforts of airport officials, especially Mr. Agada, the Abuja airport immigration commandant; terminal head Miriam Anosike; and other key personnel who coordinated the operation.
“I was present in person to observe his boarding at 10 p.m. on Thursday, alongside the highly competent terminal head, Miriam Anosike, who did an outstanding job in this situation. Ifueko Abdulmalik and the brave officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service were also there,” Achimugu remarked.
He mentioned, “We recommended that the airline provide the cabin crew with some of the administered sedatives to manage any disruptive behavior from passengers during the flight.”
Achimugu also commended the cooperation among the NCAA, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Air France’s station manager, highlighting their exemplary management of the situation.
