By Peter Omopo
Saudi Airlines has come under fire after abandoning hundreds of Kano-bound passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for nearly 48 hours, a situation that sparked tension and raised security concerns.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that the aircraft was forced to divert to Abuja due to adverse weather conditions in Kano. However, the authority faulted the airline for failing to make adequate arrangements to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.
In a statement posted on Monday on his verified X handle, the NCAA’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said he was personally involved in efforts to manage and de-escalate the crisis, describing the episode as one of the most intense moments of his professional career.
Achimugu revealed that he received reports of a credible threat of violence from stranded passengers, prompting him to abandon personal plans and head to the airport.
According to him, several airlines had also diverted to Abuja due to the same weather conditions but made alternative arrangements for their passengers, unlike Saudi Airlines, which reportedly returned to its base without ensuring the onward movement of its customers.
He said more than 200 passengers were left angry and frustrated after spending several hours at the airport without clear information on when or how they would reach 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,” Achimugu said.
He added that at one point an aggrieved passenger threatened to assault him, but the situation was defused through dialogue.
While noting that Saudi Airlines does not operate an Abuja base, a factor that complicated logistics, the NCAA insisted the situation could have been handled in a more professional manner.
Achimugu disclosed that he later met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, stressing that all airlines operating in the country must comply with Nigeria’s consumer protection regulations, regardless of their country of origin.
The NCAA said the stranded passengers were eventually airlifted in batches by UMZA Airlines, with three flights transporting a total of 189 passengers to Kano. The first flight carried 74 passengers, the second 73, while the final flight conveyed 34 passengers.
According to the authority, Saudi Airlines has undertaken 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,” Achimugu said.
Efforts to obtain a response from Saudi Airlines were unsuccessful, as the carrier does not have an operational office in Nigeria. Emails sent to the airline had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.
