Metro

Irate Passenger Escapes Lynching After Blocking Abuja-bound Flight

Published

8 months ago

January 11, 2025

An unnamed female passenger narrowly escaped being lynched by angry passengers at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo after she blocked an Ibom Air flight from departing for Abuja.

The flight, scheduled to carry 100 passengers, including the crew, was delayed due to the passenger’s actions, as revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu.

According to Achimugu, the issue began when the airline informed passengers that luggage exceeding 20kg might not arrive on the same flight but on the next available one. While passengers initially agreed to this arrangement, the woman became furious upon discovering her bag had not been loaded onto the aircraft.

The irate passenger disembarked and demanded that her bag be loaded immediately, threatening to prevent the flight from taking off otherwise.

Attempts by officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Aviation Security, and the pilot to mediate proved unsuccessful.

The NCAA spokesperson added, “The pilot even offered to carry her checked-in bag in the cabin, but the size was unsuitable. Uyo is a sunset airport, and the airspace was due to close, making timely departure critical. Despite this, the passenger refused to cooperate.”

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At one point, the woman re-entered the cabin to retrieve her handbag but instead blocked the aisle, continuing her protest. Among the other 89 passengers were an infant and a chef travelling to fulfil a professional engagement in Abuja.

The situation escalated when the airspace eventually closed, forcing the flight’s cancellation. Passengers, visibly enraged, charged at the woman, but swift intervention by AVSEC officials and Ibom Air personnel, led by Amaka Echetabu, prevented violence.

“Had Aviation Security not acted promptly, the unruly passenger might have been lynched. Their timely response saved her life,” Achimugu noted.

In the meantime, the delayed passengers were provided with refreshments, transportation for Uyo residents, and hotel accommodation for those travelling from outside the city. However, Achimugu lamented that the disruption caused scheduling challenges for the airline that might take days to resolve.
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Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

1 hour ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”

Metro

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel In Edo, Abduct Expatriate

Published

1 hour ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The gunmen also abducted one of the Chinese expatriates, and injured four persons.

An officer of the agency who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Saturday on the condition of anonymity, said the persons injured were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to him, four Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt.

He said the incident happened at the company’s entrance, on Friday, September 5, 2025, at about 10PM, when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.

He said: “The suspected kidnappers, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed the NSCDC personnel attached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.

“The attackers laid an ambush at the company’s entrance. They opened fire sporadically, engaging NSCDC operatives in a gun duel. Despite the loss of personnel, NSCDC operatives successfully rescued four expatriates.

“The armed group escaped into the bush with one abducted expatriate.

“The surviving NSCDC personnel repelled further assault and secured four expatriates safely.

“The injured officers were evacuated and are receiving medical care,”

The officer said that the Edo State Commandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, had visited the scene of the crime and the hospital where the injured are being treated.

He also disclosed that joint security operations with sister agencies have commenced, combing the surrounding forest in pursuit of the perpetrators.

“As I speak with you, our personnel and other security agencies are combing the bush through which the kidnappers escaped. We are making every effort to ensure that the abducted expatriate is freed unhurt and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he noted.

Metro

New Edo Line Passengers Abducted

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Now fewer than 18 passengers of the New Edo Line and Toyota Corolla car were on Friday reported abducted.

The victims, said to be Abuja bound passengers, were forced into the bush by the kidnappers before men of the Nigerian Police Force arrived the scene

A viral video from the scene of the incident showed a long queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the express road.

Contacted, Edo tate Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Iyamu confirmed, the incident, stressing that sixteen of the victims have been rescued so far.

He noted that police have intensified search in collaboration with local vigilante and hunters to ensure the release of the other passengers in the kidnappers’ den.