NCAA Vows to Prosecute Passenger Over Assault on Official at Abuja Airport

​Tension at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after a senior regulatory officer was allegedly slapped by a disgruntled passenger during a flight cancellation protest.

​The incident, which occurred following widespread passenger frustrations over a disrupted domestic service, left the victim deeply traumatized and contemplating resignation.

​According to investigations by industry correspondents, the passenger involved has been identified as Dr. Chinyere Ihuarlam. While fellow passengers initially attempted to shield the perpetrator and downplay the altercation, regulatory authorities have firmly rejected the cover-up.

​Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the development, noting that he personally intervened to dissuade the victim—whom he described as one of the agency’s finest personnel—from walking away from her career due to the humiliation.

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​”Do you guys think that paying airfares gives you absolute rights? And how, in the name of God and Law, does the right to slap people extend to innocent workers who are not responsible for the disruption that caused your angst?” Achimugu queried, condemning fellow travellers who tried to suppress facts surrounding the crime.

​The regulatory body has since briefed its legal department and initiated steps to ensure the suspect faces the full wrath of the law in court. The NCAA stressed that while air travellers possess legitimate rights to seek redress or compensation under civil aviation regulations for delayed or cancelled flights, resorting to physical violence and harassment against frontline consumer protection officers is entirely unacceptable and will face zero tolerance.