FAAN issues guidelines after altercation on flight in Delta
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has specified the correct protocols for dealing with passenger-related disturbances at airports, following public backlash to a viral confrontation between two travelers on a United Nigeria Airlines flight at Asaba Airport in Delta State.
The altercation took place on November 17, when social media figures Mr Jollof and VeryDarkMan were filmed trading blows aboard the aircraft, causing distress among other passengers.
United Nigeria Airlines acknowledged the uproar, stating that both individuals were swiftly removed from the plane to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all passengers and crew members.
The airline further indicated that the two men were subsequently handed over to airport security for additional investigation.
In response to the incident, Michael Achimugu, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), reaffirmed the regulator’s strict stance against unruly behavior on flights. He noted that both individuals would be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
In a statement released on Wednesday, FAAN’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, Henry Agbebire, delineated the specific roles of airlines, aviation security personnel, and the NCAA in managing incidents involving passengers.
Agbebire pointed out that FAAN is responsible for providing AVSEC, rescue services, and firefighting services at federal, state, and privately operated airports.
As stated in the announcement, AVSEC officers act as the airport’s internal security team, tasked with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and vital infrastructure.
He highlighted that when a disruption occurs on a flight or during the boarding process, it is primarily the airline's duty to manage the situation.
"This could involve removing passengers whose conduct poses a threat to safety or disrupts operations. Once passengers are taken off the aircraft, the matter then shifts to airport-level protocols," the statement indicates.
Agbebire clarified that according to Nigeria’s civil aviation security standards, AVSEC officers are required to receive disruptive passengers transferred by the airline, conduct initial assessments, maintain order throughout the terminal and airside areas, and hand over such individuals to the police or other relevant law enforcement agencies for further proceedings.
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