A French citizen was reportedly deboarded by Air France at Abuja Airport on New Year’s Day for causing security and diplomatic concerns.
The unnamed foreigner disrupted mny flights, forcing security operatives to drop him from the aircraft and restrict his access to the boarding area.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, revealed this on his X account late Wednesday.
He said the passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, was initially deboarded from an Air France flight “due to disruptive behaviour that posed a safety risk to other passengers.”
Achimugu said the French, who arrived in Abuja without a valid Nigerian visa, was denied entry into the country.
“Air France accommodated him in a hotel within the airport terminal after a visit from staff of the French Embassy and a medical doctor. However, his erratic behaviour continued.
“After Air France refused to airlift him back to his country, British Airways also declined to accept him on board due to his disruptive conduct and his failure to provide proof of payment for his ticket.
“Since he did not possess a Nigerian visa, he was not allowed into Abuja. Being a French national, he was visited by staff of the French Embassy and a doctor and was granted accommodation in a hotel within the airport terminal.
“Later, British Airways deboarded him due to the same unruly behaviour displayed aboard Air France. Today, he was scheduled to depart via Asky but could not present evidence of payment for the e-ticket he provided. The airline declined to airlift him.”
Achimugu said the French made Immigration officials to face daunting challenges handling him, adding the he was seen littering the airport terminal with tissue paper while shouting, “My passport, my passport.”
“Apparently, the Immigration officers wanted to ensure that he boarded his flight before handing him his international passport to prevent him from escaping through the exit gate and into the city,” Achimugu added.
It is not certain if the passenger had been returned to his country, as the NCAA spokesperson had yet to respond to calls or text messages regarding the matter as at press time.
