- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has secured the return of a mentally challenged French citizen following his unruly behaviour at the Abuja International Airport.
This was confirmed by NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a post on his official X handle on Friday.
NPO reported that Achimugu had in a previous post on Thursday narrated how the French citizen simply identified as Yusuf pulled up an erratic behavior at the Abuja airport after being deboarded by Air France over safety concern.
He further explained that the French citizen was also deboarded from British Airways, over his display. Additionally, he was to depart via Asky but could not present evidence of payment for the e-‘ticket’ he presented.
In an update on the incident, Achimugu disclosed that Yusuf was examined by a doctor and placed on sedative before being finally boarded in another flight.
He stated that airline cabin crew were advised to have some of the administered sedatives on board should in case the passenger displays any disruptive behaviour during the course of the flight.
The NCAA Director, however commended operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service and NCAA as well as the Abuja airport terminal head, Miriam Anosike, over how they handled the situation.
He also commended Air France station manager who attended to the passenger.
“Examined by a doctor and placed on a sedative, the unruly French national has finally boarded an Air France flight to CDG, Paris.
“I was physically present to witness his boarding at 10pm tonight, along with the very capable terminal head, Miriam Anosike who did a yeoman’s job in this case, Ifueko Abdulmalik, and gallant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“I must mention that the Immigration Commander at the airport, Mr. Agada was very cooperative. His willingness to collaborate with Miriam was the glue that held all of this together.
“We advised the airline to let the cabin crew have some of the administered sedatives in case the passenger displays any disruptive behaviour during the course of the flight.
“Kudos to both the NCAA, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Air France station manager who did an amazing job of attending to the passenger.” Achimugu wrote.