ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Saudi Airlines has faced backlash after leaving 401 passengers bound for Kano stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for nearly 48 hours, a situation that heightened tension and raised security concerns.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that adverse weather conditions in Kano led the airline to divert the flight to Abuja, but noted that the carrier failed to put proper arrangements in place to transport the passengers to their final destination.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by the NCAA spokesperson, Mr Michael Achimugu, via his verified X handle, where he disclosed that he was directly involved in efforts to calm the situation and prevent escalation.
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He described the incident as one of the most challenging experiences of his career.
“Yesterday, I had to make a U-turn while heading to my barber’s shop after receiving reports of a valid threat of extreme violence from stranded Saudi Airlines passengers in Abuja,” Achimugu said.
He explained that other airlines also diverted to Abuja due to the same weather conditions, but unlike Saudi Airlines, they made alternative arrangements for their passengers, while Saudi Airlines returned to its base without ensuring its passengers reached Kano.
Achimugu recalled standing among more than 200 visibly frustrated passengers, many of whom had waited for hours without clear information on when or how they would eventually travel to Kano.
“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,” he said.
He recounted a particularly heated moment when one enraged passenger threatened to attack him.
The statement further noted, “I looked at him. Initially, I was angry. But I saw the worry in his eyes and decided to handle him differently. We ended up talking. We became best friends. He even invited me to his Lagos residence.”
While acknowledging that Saudi Airlines does not operate an Abuja base an issue that complicated logistics the NCAA insisted that the situation could have been managed more professionally.
Achimugu disclosed that he later met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, during which he stressed that no airline would be permitted to operate in Nigeria without adhering to the country’s consumer protection regulations.
He also praised the Regional General Manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and disclosed that the stranded passengers were eventually transported in batches through three UMZA flights.
“The first aircraft departed Abuja for Kano with 74 passengers and four crew members. The second carried 73 passengers and four crew members.
“The third and final flight conveyed 34 passengers. In total, 189 passengers were successfully transported to Kano,” he stated.
According to the NCAA, Saudi Airlines has agreed to compensate the affected passengers.
“This brings to an end a disruption of almost 48 hours that began as force majeure, transitioned into poor passenger handling, and ended with a strong display of effective teamwork, from the Minister to the DGCA and down to our hardworking Consumer Protection Officers,” Achimugu said.
Attempts to reach the airline were unsuccessful, as it neither operates from nor maintains an information office in Nigeria.
An email sent to the airline by our correspondent had not been acknowledged as of the time this report was filed.