A French national exhibiting disruptive behavior was sedated and deported from Nigeria after causing significant disturbances at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The individual arrived in Abuja on New Year’s Day without a valid Nigerian visa and was deboarded from an Air France flight due to behavior that posed a safety risk to other passengers.
Following his removal, the passenger was accommodated in a hotel within the airport terminal after consultations with French Embassy staff and a medical doctor. Despite these measures, his erratic behavior persisted, leading to further disruptions.
Subsequent attempts to deport him faced challenges. British Airways declined to board the individual due to his disruptive conduct, and an attempt to depart via Asky Airlines was unsuccessful after he failed to provide proof of payment for his e-ticket.
In response to the escalating situation, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) intervened. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, reported that the passenger was examined by a doctor, sedated, and subsequently boarded onto an Air France flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Achimugu commended the collaborative efforts of airport officials, including the terminal head, Miriam Anosike, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, in resolving the situation. He also noted that the airline was advised to have additional sedatives on hand during the flight in case the passenger exhibited further disruptive behavior.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by aviation authorities in managing unruly passengers and highlights the importance of international cooperation in maintaining safety and order within airports and during flights.
MMC News Desk
