Lagos, Nigeria — Passengers and airport workers witnessed a shocking scene on Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after a female passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo assaulted a flight attendant and later clashed with security officials.
Eyewitnesses say the trouble started mid-flight when the woman reportedly struck an air hostess during the journey. The situation worsened after the plane landed in Lagos. Viral videos from the tarmac show the woman shouting at and resisting airport security before being forcibly taken into an airport shuttle bus.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since warned travellers that while passengers have rights, they also have responsibilities, stressing that bad behaviour onboard flights will not be tolerated.
This comes just weeks after another major aviation incident involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM1, who was banned from flying after an altercation with ValueJet staff at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025.
According to SaharaReporters, KWAM1’s clash with airline staff caused a serious breach of aviation safety. Trouble reportedly began when he was seen drinking from a personal flask on board. A flight attendant asked him to surrender it, but he refused. Nigerian aviation security rules, in line with global standards, do not allow liquids over 100ml through security unless they are medically necessary and declared.
The situation escalated when KWAM1 allegedly poured alcohol on a female pilot and threatened her, claiming he had connections to President Bola Tinubu. The crew decided to deboard him, but witnesses say the musician stormed to the front of the aircraft, attempting to stop the flight from leaving.
In a risky turn of events, the ValueJet pilots began takeoff procedures without clearance from the control tower, forcing KWAM1 and ground staff to duck under the aircraft wings to avoid being hit. The NCAA later suspended the two pilots for violating safety procedures.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the musician’s “unruly conduct” in a statement by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection. She stated that KWAM1 refused to cooperate with security checks, spilled alcohol on aviation staff, and ignored multiple warnings before being escorted away for questioning.
Both incidents have sparked public debate about discipline and safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector, with authorities promising stricter enforcement of passenger conduct rules to ensure flight safety.
