By Adesina Soyooye
On November 9, 2026, a passenger on board an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Asaba forced the flight to go back to the ramp because of his unruly, disruptive behaviour.
Trouble started when the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, refused to adhere to protocols when the Aircraft was preparing to take off.
According to reports, he refused to obey the repeated instructions from the cabin crew to put off his mobile phone and stop taking photographs.
When he wouldn’t listen, causing a second crew member to approach him and enforce the instructions, the situation escalated and he threatened that the anger inside of him was so strong that he could burn down the Aircraft.
On getting the report, the Captain decided to return the aircraft to the ramp. He felt the threat was so strong to warrant the turn around.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a post, narrated that Ezeudu made a threat during the altercation.
He threatened: “The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane.
“Following the statement, the cabin crew immediately alerted the captain, who aborted the takeoff procedure and initiated a safe return to the ramp at 1557 hours.
“Upon the aircraft’s return to the gate, Ezeudu reportedly complied with instructions to disembark without further physical resistance.
“His friend, who was also travelling on the flight, equally decided to leave the aircraft voluntarily in solidarity with him.
“During subsequent questioning, Ezeudu reportedly explained that his outburst was caused by frustration after missing an earlier flight that same day.
“He also claimed that he did not expect his behaviour to disrupt the entire aircraft’s departure.”
Ezeudu’s fate is yer to be made public.
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