PHOTO FILE: Enugu Air Aeroplane

Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, which commenced operations on Monday, July 7, has come under scrutiny after a passenger was forcibly removed from one of its flights.

Videos circulating on social media show the unidentified man being dragged off the aircraft and later across the tarmac by airport personnel. In one clip, a voice is heard saying, “Yes, yes, go down,” suggesting that some bystanders supported the action. The officials later released the man for dialogue.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Neither the airline, (currently operated by XeJet due to the absence of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)) nor the passenger involved has issued a statement. Efforts to confirm details from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) proved unsuccessful, as the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, could not be reached.

The development has generated reactions online, with some social media users calling for stricter enforcement of aviation regulations. One user, posting under the name Truth Be Told, said the handling of the incident showed leniency that could encourage further disruptions. Another, identified as Your Dad, questioned the growing trend of in-flight confrontations, while a third, Taking Higher Grounds, urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to adopt better strategies in managing such situations.

The incident adds to recent confrontations in the aviation sector, including Comfort Emmanson’s clash with flight attendants aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, and Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate) reportedly involved in a dispute with ValueJet Airlines at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.