Air Peace Passenger Removed After Threatening to ‘Burn Down’ Aircraft

An Air Peace passenger was removed from an Abuja-bound flight after threatening that his anger could “burn down” the aircraft during preparations for take-off.

The incident involved flight P47866 on November 9. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) identified the passenger as Celestine Ezeudu.

The NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident in a report shared on social media on Monday.

According to Achimugu, Ezeudu repeatedly ignored cabin crew instructions to stop taking photographs and put away his device.

The situation escalated when another crew member approached him, triggering an altercation.

Achimugu said the passenger then threatened that his anger could burn down the aircraft, prompting the crew to alert the captain.

The captain subsequently ordered the aircraft to return to the ramp at 3:57pm to allow security personnel to remove the passenger.

Ezeudu complied with the instruction to leave the aircraft without further resistance. His travelling companion also voluntarily disembarked in solidarity with him.

Achimugu said the passenger later explained that he became angry because he had missed an earlier flight.

He added that Ezeudu apparently did not anticipate that his conduct would force the aircraft to return to the ramp.

The NCAA official did not state whether the passenger would face further sanctions or prosecution.

The incident has again drawn attention to the importance of passenger compliance with cabin crew instructions.

Such instructions form part of standard aviation safety procedures, particularly during critical stages of a flight. Passengers must obey them to protect everyone on board.