Air Peace Removes Passenger After Threat to ‘Burn Down’ Aircraft

Air Peace has removed a passenger from one of its aircraft after he allegedly threatened that his anger could burn down the plane during a confrontation with cabin crew members.

The incident occurred on Monday, November 9, 2026, aboard flight P47866, which was scheduled to travel to Asaba, Delta State.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident in a report shared on his official X account.

According to Achimugu, the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, refused repeated instructions from cabin crew members to stop taking photographs and put away his mobile device as the aircraft prepared for take-off.

The situation reportedly escalated when a second crew member approached him, leading to an altercation during which Ezeudu allegedly made a threatening statement.

“The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane,” he reportedly said.

Following the threat, the cabin crew immediately alerted the captain, who initiated a ramp return at 3:57 p.m. to facilitate the passenger’s removal.

The NCAA official said Ezeudu complied with instructions to leave the aircraft without further resistance.

His travelling companion also voluntarily disembarked from the flight in solidarity with him.

Achimugu further disclosed that the passenger was taken to the airport’s security questioning facility, where he explained that his anger resulted from missing an earlier flight.

The passenger reportedly said he did not realise that his conduct would cause the aircraft to return to the ramp.

The incident highlights the importance of passengers complying with cabin crew instructions, particularly during critical stages of flight operations.

Airline safety procedures require passengers to follow crew directions concerning electronic devices and other onboard conduct to minimise risks during take-off and landing.

The NCAA has repeatedly stressed the need for orderly passenger behaviour and compliance with aviation safety regulations, following previous confrontations between passengers and airline personnel in Nigeria.

The latest incident comes amid continued attention to passenger conduct and the enforcement of aviation safety rules across the country’s domestic airline operations.