NCAA OFFICIAL CONSIDERS RESIGNATION AFTER PASSENGER’S SLAP

A senior official of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reportedly considered resigning after she was allegedly slapped and humiliated by a female passenger during a confrontation at the Abuja airport.

The incident occurred following the cancellation of a domestic flight, which left several passengers frustrated. The NCAA’s Consumer Protection Officers reportedly intervened to calm the situation, but the effort allegedly resulted in the passenger physically assaulting the senior official.

Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the incident, revealing that the affected officer contacted him the following day and expressed doubts about continuing in her role.

Achimugu said he intervened to discourage her from resigning, describing her as one of the agency’s most dedicated staff members.

He also condemned the conduct of passengers who allegedly attempted to conceal the incident, stressing that paying for an airline ticket does not give travellers the right to assault airport personnel.

The NCAA has reportedly referred the matter to its legal department and is preparing to brief the Director-General of Civil Aviation, with a view to prosecuting the passenger.

Achimugu warned that flight cancellations and other service disruptions do not justify violence against aviation workers. He urged passengers who feel their rights have been violated to use established complaint procedures rather than resorting to physical confrontation.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of frontline aviation workers in Nigeria, particularly amid repeated cases of confrontations between passengers, airline staff and airport officials.

The NCAA maintains that its consumer protection officers are deployed to assist travellers and ensure airlines meet their obligations, not to serve as targets for passengers' frustration.