The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to step up enforcement against unruly air passengers, warning that stricter penalties will soon become standard practice amid a rise in disruptive in-flight incidents.
The move follows a troubling episode on August 10, 2025, aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, where a female passenger reportedly assaulted cabin crew and security personnel during disembarkation.
Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, described the trend as “deeply concerning” and said “robust ramifications and enforcement actions will become the order of the day.” He stressed the need for strict compliance with aviation safety regulations.
As part of its new approach, the NCAA will launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate travelers on proper conduct, while urging aviation agencies to tighten operational procedures and improve rapid response to unruly behavior.
In a separate statement, Ibom Air confirmed it had imposed an indefinite travel ban on the offending passenger, citing the safety of its crew, other passengers, and aircraft as paramount.
The NCAA’s warning comes as air rage incidents both globally and domestically continue to challenge airlines, prompting calls for harsher sanctions and better passenger education.