Saudi Airlines has come under intense criticism after abandoning 401 Kano-bound passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for close to 48 hours, triggering tension and security concerns.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that bad weather in Kano forced the airline to divert to Abuja, but noted that it failed to make adequate arrangements to convey the passengers to their final destination.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on Monday by the NCAA’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, on his verified X handle, in which he said he was personally involved in efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Achimugu described the episode as one of the most intense moments of his professional life. “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,” he said.
According to him, several other airlines also diverted to Abuja due to the same weather-related conditions. However, while those airlines made alternative arrangements for their passengers, Saudi Airlines reportedly returned to its base without ensuring that the affected passengers reached their final destination.
Achimugu recounted standing among more than 200 visibly angry passengers, many of whom had waited for hours without clear information on when or how they would continue their journey.
“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.
In one particularly tense moment, Achimugu said an irate passenger threatened to assault him.
The statement added, “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 have an operational base in Abuja, a factor that complicated logistics, the NCAA maintained that the situation could have been handled more professionally.
Achimugu disclosed that he later met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, where he stressed that no airline would be permitted to operate in Nigeria in disregard of the country’s consumer protection regulations.
Commending the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Regional General Manager, Achimugu added that the stranded passengers were eventually airlifted 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.
Saudi Airlines, according to the NCAA, has committed to compensating 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.
