Air Peace removed a passenger after he allegedly threatened to burn down the aircraft, forcing a ramp return before take-off.

Air Peace removed a passenger from one of its aircraft after he allegedly threatened to “burn down” the plane during an altercation with cabin crew, forcing the captain to return the aircraft to the parking area before take-off.

Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the incident occurred on Monday aboard flight P47866, which was scheduled to fly to Asaba, Delta State.

In an incident report shared on his official X account, Achimugu identified the passenger as Celestine Ezeudu and said he refused instructions from cabin crew to stop taking pictures and put away his device while the aircraft was preparing for take-off.

The NCAA official did not disclose the airport from which the flight was scheduled to depart.

How the altercation started

According to Achimugu, Ezeudu ignored the crew’s instructions. The situation escalated when a second crew member approached him, leading to an altercation.

During the confrontation, the passenger allegedly said: “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.”

Achimugu said the crew immediately alerted the captain, who initiated a ramp return at 15:57.

A ramp return occurs when an aircraft returns to its parking position after leaving the boarding area or beginning its departure movement.

“The passenger complied with instructions to be removed from the aircraft without further struggle,” the NCAA official said.

Ezeudu’s friend, who was travelling with him, also chose to leave the aircraft in solidarity with him, according to the report.

Passenger blamed anger on missed flight

Achimugu said Ezeudu was questioned in the airport’s crime room, where he explained that his anger stemmed from missing an earlier flight.

The passenger reportedly said he did not realise his behaviour would result in the aircraft returning to the parking area.

The NCAA did not disclose whether Ezeudu would face further sanctions or whether the incident had been referred for additional investigation.

Airlines require passengers to follow crew instructions

Passengers are expected to comply with safety instructions from cabin crew, particularly during critical phases of a flight, including take-off and landing.

Air Peace’s conditions of carriage allow the airline to remove passengers whose behaviour it considers unacceptable or unruly. The airline also reserves the right to report such incidents to law enforcement authorities where it believes an offence may have been committed.

The airline’s conditions further provide that passengers may be held liable for costs arising from unruly conduct, including expenses incurred when an aircraft has to return to its parking position to remove a passenger.