A Nigerian airline has taken action against a passenger who allegedly threatened to “burn down” the aircraft during a pre-flight altercation. The incident took place on an Air Peace flight, P47866, which was preparing to take off for Asaba in Delta State.
The issue arose when the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, refused repeated requests from the cabin crew to stop taking pictures with his mobile device. According to Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the situation escalated when another crew member intervened, leading to a confrontation in which Ezeudu made the threat.
Achimugu noted that the passenger stated, “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane” during the dispute. Following this alarming remark, the cabin crew alerted the captain, who decided to return to the ramp at 15:57, allowing for the removal of Ezeudu from the aircraft.
Reportedly, Ezeudu complied with the requests to disembark without resistance, and his traveling companion exited the plane voluntarily as well. He later explained that his anger was due to having missed an earlier flight, though he did not expect his behavior to result in the aircraft returning to the ramp.
This incident contributes to a pattern of escalating confrontations between passengers and airline personnel in Nigeria, which have led to various disruptions, including flight delays and arrests. For instance, in August 2025, a passenger confronted crew members on an Ibom Air flight over similar compliance issues, resulting in her removal and subsequent police involvement. Another notable case involved musician Wasiu Ayinde at an airport, which also necessitated intervention from security personnel.
The NCAA has continuously warned against unruly behavior on flights, emphasizing the importance of compliance with crew instructions for aviation safety. Passengers are encouraged to raise any complaints about airline services through appropriate channels rather than engaging in confrontations with onboard personnel.
