The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has facilitated the airlifting of 189 passengers who were stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for nearly 48 hours.
The passengers who had boarded a Saudi Airlines en route to Kano were stranded in Abuja due to bad weather.
The crisis began on Saturday, January 10, 2026, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight was unable to land at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to poor visibility. The aircraft landed in Abuja at about 1:00 p.m.
Passengers were reportedly kept inside the cabin on the tarmac for hours without food, water, or ventilation. The passengers were said to be mostly pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
While other airlines that diverted to Abuja made arrangements for their passengers, Saudi Airlines reportedly returned its aircraft to its base without ensuring the passengers reached Kano.
Following a distress report over the emergency, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, intervened, pacifying the affected passengers who were already enraged by the development.
In a statement via his X handle, Achimugu said he received reports of a threat of “extreme violence” from the affected passengers.
Highlighting the delicate situation he found himself in while managing the chaotic scene, Achimugu stated: “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 teamwork. 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 he was initially angered by the threat from one of the irate passengers, but decided to handle him with tact, leading to an amicable resolution.
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The NCAA spokesperson said he met with the Saudi ambassador to Nigeria and warned that the airline cannot operate with disregard for the consumer protection regulations.
“How do you leave 401 passengers stranded and say you’d return to your country without having made alternative arrangements for their movements to their final destination?” he asked.
While acknowledging that it was difficult for the airline as it has no operational base in Abuja, Achimugu, however, pointed out that the incident could have been handled more professionally.
He further stated that later on Sunday night, they were able to conclude arrangements with UMZA Air, which flew the stranded passengers to Kano in three successive flights.
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According to him, “The first Umza aircraft departed ABV for Kano with a total of 74+4 passengers on board. The second Umza aircraft also departed ABV for Kano with a total of 73+4 passengers on board. The third and final Umza aircraft departed with 34 passengers on board. In total, 181 + 8 passengers were airlifted to Kano.”
He acknowledged the support of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, whom he said insisted that the rights of the passengers must be prioritised. According to him, the minister continued to ask for updates on the welfare of passengers late into the night.
He also commended the efforts of the NCAA director general, Capt. Chris Najomo, in asserting the dignity of Nigerian passengers.
While revealing that the Saudi airline has pledged to compensate the affected passengers, Achimugu emphasised that passengers should understand that certain situations are beyond the control of airlines.
“Passengers have a responsibility to understand the situations that are beyond the control of airlines. We must minimize the resort to violence inside aircraft and airport terminals this year,” he stated
Under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, Part 19, passengers have specific rights when a flight is diverted, delayed, or abandoned.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
