An Air Peace aircraft preparing to depart for Abuja returned to the airport ramp on Monday after a passenger allegedly threatened to burn down the plane during a disagreement with cabin crew.
The incident happened aboard flight P47866 on November 9, with the passenger identified as Celestine Ezeudu.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed the development, explaining that trouble started when Ezeudu allegedly ignored instructions to stop taking pictures and put away his device ahead of take-off.
According to Achimugu, the situation deteriorated when another crew member approached the passenger, triggering an altercation during which he allegedly threatened to set the aircraft on fire.
Ezeudu was quoted as saying, “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.”
Following the threat, the cabin crew alerted the captain, who immediately ordered the aircraft back to the ramp at 3:57pm.
Achimugu said the passenger eventually obeyed instructions to disembark without further resistance. His friend, who was also booked on the flight, equally chose to leave the aircraft in solidarity with him.
The NCAA spokesperson added that Ezeudu was subsequently taken to the airport’s crime room for questioning.
During interrogation, the passenger reportedly attributed his anger to missing an earlier flight, although he acknowledged that his behaviour had resulted in the aircraft returning to the ramp.