A French traveller who disrupted flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja has been deported to France after being sedated by medical professionals.
The passenger, who arrived in Nigeria via an Air France flight without a valid visa, was denied entry into the country and subsequently caused a scene that raised security and diplomatic concerns.
Two days earlier, the passenger’s unruly behavior had forced immigration officials to deboard him from an Air France aircraft and restrict his access to the boarding area. The incident drew attention from both security personnel and airport management.
Providing an update on Friday, Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the passenger’s deportation.
Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Achimugu said, “Examined by a doctor and placed on a sedative, the unruly French national has finally boarded an Air France flight to CDG, Paris.”
Achimugu commended the efforts of airport officials, particularly the Abuja airport immigration commandant, Mr. Agada, as well as terminal head Miriam Anosike and other key personnel who coordinated the operation.
“I was physically present to witness his boarding at 10 pm on Thursday, along with the very capable terminal head, Miriam Anosike, who did a yeoman’s job in this case, Ifueko Abdulmalik, and gallant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service,” Achimugu stated.
He added, “We advised the airline to let the cabin crew have some of the administered sedatives in case the passenger displays any disruptive behavior during the course of the flight.”
Achimugu also praised the collaboration between the NCAA, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Air France’s station manager, describing their handling of the situation as exemplary.
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