A French national, who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, without a valid Nigerian visa, has been deported after causing significant disruption to flight operations. The passenger, who flew into the country via an Air France flight two days ago, engaged airport officials in a combative manner when denied entry.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed that the unnamed individual was sedated by medical personnel to ensure a smooth deportation process. He was subsequently placed on an Air France flight back to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Thursday night.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the incident in a statement shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle. He praised the collaborative efforts of airport officials, immigration officers, and the Air France team in handling the situation.
“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 around 10 pm on Thursday, along with capable airport officials, including Terminal Head Miriam Anosike,” Achimugu stated.
He also commended the Immigration Commander, Mr. Agada, for his cooperation and the readiness of immigration officers to collaborate on resolving the matter.
To mitigate potential risks during the flight, the NCAA advised Air France cabin crew to keep sedatives on hand in case the passenger became disruptive mid-flight.
