Achimugu said more than 200 angry passengers were stranded at the airport, some of whom turned violent as frustration mounted over prolonged delays and what he described as poor passenger handling by the airline.
Violence erupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday, after hundreds of Kano-bound Saudi Airlines passengers stranded due to bad weather became increasingly agitated, prompting emergency intervention by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) amid reports of credible threats of extreme violence.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed that the incident occurred after Saudi Airlines diverted its Kano-bound flight to Abuja because of adverse weather conditions, a situation that also affected other airlines operating on the same route.
On Monday, Achimugu said more than 200 angry passengers were stranded at the airport, some of whom turned violent as frustration mounted over prolonged delays and what he described as poor passenger handling by the airline.
He noted that he personally stood among the passengers to pacify, reprimand and resolve the crisis, despite facing direct threats of physical assault.
“I stood amidst over 200 angry passengers, pacifying, reprimanding, and resolving. This is the most adrenaline-rushing part of my job. It requires tact, firmness, wisdom, and team work. But it is risky. Some passengers are extremely violent. A huge, hulk-like, and highly vexed passenger threatened to beat me up yesterday,” he said.
“I looked at him. Initially, I was angry. But I saw the worry in his eyes and decided to handle him differently. We became best friends and he has invited me to his Lagos residence. I will not go, sha.”
According to him, about 401 passengers were left stranded without adequate arrangements for their onward journey, a development he said amounted to a breach of consumer protection regulations.
He commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), for insisting that the rights and welfare of passengers be prioritised, adding that the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, also took critical decisions that helped safeguard the dignity of Nigerian passengers.
Achimugu further revealed that following engagements with the Saudi ambassador to Nigeria and sustained negotiations, arrangements were concluded with UMZA Aviation to airlift the stranded passengers to Kano through three successive flights. In total, 189 passengers were eventually transported.
“How do you leave 401 passengers stranded and say you'd return to your country without having made alternative arrangements for their movements to final destination?” he asked.
“While acknowledging the fact that it was tough for the airline as they have no operational base in Abuja, the entire saga could have been handled more professionally.
“I met with the Saudi ambassador to Nigeria and made it clear that the airline cannot operate with disregard for the consumer protection regulations.
“Much later last night, we were able to conclude arrangements with UMZA to fly the stranded passengers to Kano via three successive flights.”
He said Saudi Airlines has committed to compensating the affected passengers, bringing to an end an almost 48-hour disruption that began as a force majeure incident but escalated due to poor passenger handling.
Achimugu urged passengers to exercise restraint and understanding in situations beyond the control of airlines, warning against resorting to violence within airport terminals and aircraft.