Air Peace removed a passenger from one of its aircraft after his threat to burn the plane prompted the captain to return it to the airport ramp before take-off.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed this in an incident report shared on X by Michael Achimugu, its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
The incident involved Air Peace flight P47866, which was scheduled to fly to Asaba, Delta State.
The aircraft returned to the ramp following an altercation between the passenger and cabin crew over the use of a mobile device.
According to the NCAA report, the passenger, identified as Celestine Ezeudu, refused instructions from cabin crew members to stop taking pictures and put away his device while the aircraft was preparing for take-off.
The situation escalated when a second crew member approached him, leading to an altercation during which Ezeudu allegedly threatened the aircraft.
Following the threat, the crew alerted the captain, who initiated a ramp return at 15:57 hours.
Ezeudu subsequently disembarked, while his friend and co-traveller also voluntarily left the flight in solidarity with him. The report said Ezeudu later attributed his anger to missing an earlier flight, although he reportedly said he did not realise his behaviour would cause the aircraft to return to the ramp.
The latest incident follows other cases involving passenger conduct and aviation safety in Nigeria, including confrontations with airline crew and airport personnel.
She also allegedly assaulted another crew member and airport security personnel before being restrained and handed over to the police.
Ibom Air reported the incident to the NCAA and announced a lifetime ban. However, the airline later withdrew its complaint, leading to Emmanson’s discharge by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on August 13, 2025. The airline subsequently lifted the ban.
Another incident occurred on August 5, 2025, when Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft preparing to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The incident happened during boarding for ValueJet flight VK201 to Lagos, following a disagreement over a flask containing liquid exceeding the permitted 100ml limit.
Following the incident, the NCAA petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate and prosecute him, while Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo directed that he be placed on a no-fly list.
However, on August 13, 2025, Keyamo announced a review of the sanctions following Kwam 1’s public apology. His flight ban was reduced to one month, while the NCAA was directed to withdraw its criminal complaint.
FAAN was also directed to work towards engaging the musician as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, a voluntary and unpaid role intended to discourage similar violations.
