The Federal Government has announced the deportation of a French national who caused disruptions at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The unruly passenger was sedated and sent back to Paris on an Air France flight.
Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed the details via a statement on Friday.
The incident began on Thursday when Air France disembarked the passenger at the Abuja airport for exhibiting unruly behavior. Lacking a Nigerian visa, the individual was denied entry into the country. According to Achimugu, the French Embassy and a doctor visited the passenger, who was subsequently accommodated in a hotel within the airport terminal.
However, the disruptions continued. “British Airways also deboarded him due to the same unruly behavior,” Achimugu noted. Additionally, an attempt to leave on an Asky Airlines flight failed when the passenger could not provide evidence of payment for his e-ticket.
On Friday, after being examined by a doctor and placed under sedation, the French national was finally escorted onto an Air France flight bound for Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
“I personally witnessed his boarding at 10 PM,” Achimugu said, praising the collaborative efforts of airport authorities. “Special recognition goes to Terminal Head Miriam Anosike, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Air France station manager, all of whom worked tirelessly to resolve the situation.”
The incident highlights the effective coordination between the NCAA, immigration authorities, and airline staff in maintaining order and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.
