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Arik Air asks passengers to disembark as traveller ‘disrupts’ Lagos-Abuja flight
An Arik Air flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to Abuja on Saturday evening was disrupted before take-off.
In a video shared by AIT on Sunday, passengers were seen waiting outside the aircraft, having been asked to disembark for a thorough security check.
The passenger who recorded the incident said a “fake passenger was caught and arrested on the flight”.
“It took us about 30 minutes for them to do the check-in and the boy that ran into the plane, a fake passenger, has been caught and arrested, and they said he will not get bail until he is properly investigated. So, they asked us to come out and do a proper check-in,” the passenger said.
However, speaking to TheCable, Adebanji Ola, head of corporate communications at Arik Air, clarified that the individual was not a fake passenger but rather a disruptive traveller.
According to Ola, the passenger attempted to exit the aircraft during boarding but was quickly apprehended and handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aviation security (AVSEC).
He said following standard procedure, the airline instructed all passengers to leave the aircraft, allowing for a full security check after which the flight departed for Abuja.
“On flight W3 735 from Lagos to Abuja on October 26, 2024, a disruptive passenger was caught while running out of the aircraft at a time boarding was on,” Ola said.
“He was immediately handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aviation security (AVSEC).
“In line with standard operating procedure, all other passengers on board the aircraft were disembarked, and a thorough security check was carried out in the aircraft.
“A second boarding was then called after the security check and the flight thereafter departed for Abuja.”
Ola said the arrested passenger was taken to the FAAN AVSEC office till the aircraft arrived at its destination.
‘DISRUPTIVE PASSENGER DEBOARDED FOR SAFETY OF OTHER PASSENGERS’
Confirming the incident, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the flight, initially scheduled to take off around 6:52pm, was delayed due to the passenger’s behaviour.
Achimugu added that the passenger’s parents were invited after which he was taken away.
“The flight was supposed to take off at 6.20pm. It was supposed to be this time of departure. Now, it was not a fake passenger. It was a passenger on board who, due to suspected, use of hard drugs began to behave crazy,” he said.
“The airline staff had to restrain him for a while before deboarding him for the safety of the other passengers. He was taken by AVSEC to Tango City for holding until the flight eventually took off around 6.52pm.
“There was a 32-minute delay to the flight due to the unruly passenger behaviour.
“His parents were invited to pick him up from there. They came and took him away. The airline departed finally at 18.52 hours with 126 passengers on board.“
Achimugu reiterated that no fake passenger was on board and that the situation was resolved.
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Lawmaker, Dennis Agbo hails NBA’s visionary leadership
The Lawmaker representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Nnamdi AGBO (FCA) has praised Governor Peter Ndubisi Mba’s “visionary leadership” in Enugu State.
Agbo highlighted the governor’s focus on human capital development, security, and infrastructure as crucial to achieving his goal of growing the state’s economy from $4 billion to $32 billion by 2027.
“This ambitious goal of the Governor will be far fetched if the residents do not optimise the number of working days in the week, and the working hours in the day. Hence the government has ensured from the onset the termination of the Monday sit at home, and deployed enough security to bring in night life into the economy of the State.
Other enabling environment is provided to make Enugu State a tourist and investment destination of choice.” He affirmed.
The lawmaker further noted that Governor Mba’s initiatives have set him apart as a role model in the Southeast stressing that the governor’s use of technology to enhance security, build smart schools, and establish state-of-the-art healthcare centers, was commendable.
Hon. Agbo emphasized that the state government’s investment in security has enabled residents to move freely and conduct businesses without restrictions, five days a week.
He expressed optimism that Enugu State would become the premier investment destination in the Southeast due to the progress made in infrastructure, security, and ease of doing business.
Notably, Agbo’s praise for Governor Mba remains significant, given that he is a member of the Labour Party, which claimed to have been robbed of its victory in Enugu State.
His comments no doubt reflect his commitment to governance over politics, echoing the words of the President that “time for politics is over”
Hon. Agbo who spoke to journalists in Abuja, also enjoined the Enugu State indigenes both home and abroad to support what the Governor was doing to move the state forward adding that the over all interest of the state should be placed above politics.
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2025 Budget is ambitious, growth sustaining -Prof Nnamchi
Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, a federal lawmaker, has praised the 2025 national budget proposal, calling it ambitious and growth-sustaining.
He believed that the budget was aimed at reassessing the government’s transformation agenda, its impact on the production and the overall economy in addition to making sure that the government’s monetary and fiscal policies were in tandem.
The proposed budget according to him, “is expected to bring down interest rates, support investments, promote production, and sustain growth and reduce inflation. He stressed.
Professor Nnamchi also acknowledged the progress made in security, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which has contributed to the increase in oil production from 1.2 barrels a day to 1.8 barrels a day.
Key highlights of the budget proposal include: A significant allocation to security, which Professor Nnamchi observed that it was crucial for addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of staple foods.
“Increase in oil production and agriculture due to improved security situation in the troubled areas will raise our GDP significantly, which could bring down inflation from 39% to 15 % going by medium term expenditure frameworks”
He noted stressing that the budget outlined proposed measures that would also support investments, promote production, and sustain growth while reducing inflation.
Such measures, he stated includes investments in infrastructure development, which were expected to stimulate economic growth and attract foreign direct investments.
“While ambitious, this budget is grounded in sound economic principles, and its successful implementation will depend on our collective resolve as representatives of the people to ensure that every naira allocated serves its purpose and delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.”
Overall, Professor Nnamchi emphasized the need to prioritize national interest and work towards moving the nation forward urging that Nigeria should be placed above sectional interest.
News
Work for Peace and Unity of Nigeria’, Obi tasks Ohaneaze president, Mbata
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The leader of the opposition Labour Party and the 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has admonished the newly elected leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Senator John Azuta Mbata to work towards peace and unity of the nation.
Writing on his X handle in a congratulatory message to the Executive, Obi urged the new Executive to leverage their position, which shows the people’s confidence in them to strengthen the Igbo family and unite the country.
“On behalf of my family and the Obedient movement, I congratulate the Newly Elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi; the Secretary-General, Emeka Sibeudu, and other newly elected executive members, on their emergence as the leaders of the noble organization.
“Their emergence as the leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella body that unites the Igbo people, underscores the level of confidence and hope the people have in their leadership ability and their commitment to the development of the region and the nation in general.
“I pray that they will leverage their new offices to continue to work for the peace and unity of our nation and contribute immeasurably to ideas that will drive development, peace, and progress among the people.
“May God give you all, the wisdom and strength to serve the people.
A New Nigeria remains Possible.
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