A fresh wave of drama unfolded at the airport after another controversial incident involving an airline, igniting public debates over the need to properly educate both passengers and airline staff on handling tense situations professionally.
In a video that has gone viral, airport authorities can be seen forcefully ejecting a middle-aged man from an Enugu Air flight, leaving bystanders in shock and raising questions about the standards of passenger treatment in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Eyewitnesses noted that not fewer than eight uniformed officials surrounded the man as he resisted their attempts to drag him off the plane. The confrontation escalated as staff struggled to restrain him while visibly pulling at his trousers and waistband. At one point, a woman recording the scene from the waiting lounge remarked: “He said they had already pulled off his trousers, and now he has no slippers,” highlighting the humiliating nature of the altercation.
The precise cause of the dramatic confrontation has not yet been confirmed. However, reports circulating online suggest the disagreement began when the passenger was allegedly asked to vacate an exit row seat over concerns that he might not meet safety requirements to assist in an emergency situation. His refusal, according to eyewitnesses, prompted the intervention of security officials, which eventually escalated into the shocking forced removal.
As of the time of filing this report, the airline has not issued any official statement on the incident, further fueling speculations and online debates. Many Nigerians have expressed concern about the growing number of such incidents, stressing that better conflict resolution methods, emotional intelligence, and customer relations training should be prioritized for public service staff.
Social media reactions pour in…
ekeneudemadu commented: “The last time I flew a local airline, which was Air Peace, I was treated with so much respect. What’s going on these days?”
isioma_yocambel wrote: “Airport this days don turn to danfo bus stops.”
sandrakalu asked: “Enough don get airline? Since when abeg?”
haywhylee_30bg quipped: “Kwam 3.”
talkswithesthertherapy stated: “Why do public service personnel have no proper emotional intelligence, persuasion skill or better ways to resolve conflicts?”
The incident has since become a trending topic on social media, with many calling for transparency and accountability from the airline industry. Others urged authorities to set stricter standards for handling passenger disputes in order to prevent avoidable embarrassments and restore public trust in the aviation sector.
Watch the full video of the incident below …