A senior official of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has considered resigning from her job after she was allegedly slapped and humiliated by a female passenger protesting a flight cancellation at the Abuja airport.
Although the NCAA is yet to reveal the passenger’s identity, investigations by our correspondent identified her as Dr Chinyere Ihuarlam.
The aviation regulatory authority has vowed to prosecute the passenger, pledging to ensure that the law takes its course as a deterrent against unruly conduct at airports nationwide.
Tension reportedly flared in Abuja on Thursday after the cancellation of a domestic flight left several passengers frustrated.
The PUNCH gathered that some of the affected passengers became unruly, while an attempt by the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Officers to calm the situation allegedly resulted in Ihuarlam slapping a senior official.
Airport sources told our correspondent that despite initial denials by some passengers, the official was indeed slapped by the female passenger.
Confirming the incident, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed that he had intervened to dissuade the victim from resigning despite the humiliation she suffered.
Achimugu said the official reached out to him the following day, expressing her dwindling motivation to continue in her job.
He said, “Saying that she no longer feels motivated to do this job. How would I have allowed her to go? She is one of our best hands but I have spoken to her.”
Reacting to the conduct of other passengers who were present at the scene and allegedly attempted to conceal the incident before the passenger reportedly admitted to the unruly behaviour, Achimugu described their actions as unfair.
He added, “Do you guys think that paying airfares gives you absolute rights? And how, in the name of God and Law, does the right to slap people extend to innocent workers who are not responsible for the disruption that caused your angst? Why did you agree to lie about such an incident, and cover up such a crime? How are you better than the leaders you condemn? I am usually calm on the internet, but this is one matter that will not escape scrutiny.
“I am unhappy that you still let this post stay to this moment, but maybe this is just who you are. And that’s fine, too. Someday…you will need the protection of our officers. Let’s hope you have not slapped all of them out of service by then. On such a day, you will appreciate the impossibly incredible work they do for you.”
ncidents of unruly and violent behaviour by passengers have continued to draw widespread condemnation across the aviation industry, with stakeholders urging relevant authorities to take firm action against offenders.
Achimugu added that the NCAA was taking the matter seriously, noting that the agency’s legal department had been informed to facilitate the passenger’s prosecution.
He said, “We are not taking this lightly and we have briefed our legal department and will also brief the DG CAA today and woman will have her day in court. This is no civilised behaviour and [no one] will continually remain to attack [officials] while doing their lawful job.
“Times without numbers I have kept appealing to passengers to stop unruly behaviours at the airport. CPOs are always there to help you and not for you to attack them. Cancelling your flight shouldn’t warrant violence if you feel your right was impeded upon there are laid down rules and steps of how you can seek redress.”
Nigeria’s aviation industry recorded several disturbing incidents of passenger misconduct and violence against airline and airport workers in 2025, attracting widespread public criticism.
One such incident took place on 5 August, involving popular Fuji musician, popularly known as KWAM 1, who had a confrontation with ValueJet airline crew members at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Another incident that generated widespread attention occurred on Sunday, 10 August, aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. A passenger, Comfort Emmanson, allegedly assaulted a crew member and was subsequently forcibly removed from the aircraft.
Similarly, on 11 June, Senator representing Edo North and former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was accused of physically preventing Air Peace personnel from performing their duties at the MMA2 terminal in Ikeja after being denied boarding.
The senator was reportedly late after the check-in counter had closed, although he insisted that he had completed the check-in process online.
Amid recurring attacks on airline and airport personnel, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria raised the alarm in 2025 over the increasing cases, warning that such behaviour would no longer be condoned and could attract severe penalties under existing aviation laws and regulations.
Follow the MoneyCentral Nigeria channel on WhatsApp: Click here!
