The Nation Newspaper

Tag: passenger

  • Passenger accused of stealing N1m on board faces trial

    The Lagos Airport Police Command will today arraign a male suspect, who allegedly stole N1, 008,000 aboard an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos.

    Command spokesman Joseph Alabi told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the suspect would be arraigned at an Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for stealing.

    He said the suspect, who lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, allegedly stole N504, 000, N350, 000 and N154,000 aboard the flight.

    Alabi said the money belonged to Messrs. Olaniye and Abubakar Jimoh, his co-passengers.

    He said the suspect was apprehended by vigilant passengers and crew while pilfering from luggage aboard the flight, about 11am on Saturday.

    Alabi said the suspect was thereafter handed over to the command upon landing in Lagos for investigation and prosecution.

  • Emirates: Why passenger, 71, was restrained on our flight

    Emirates: Why passenger, 71, was restrained on our flight

    Emirates Airline has explained why a 71-year-old passenger, David Ukesone, was restrained on its flight from Dubai to Chicago.

    The airline said Ukesone forced his way into another passengers’s seat.

    The airline, in a statement yesterday, said : “Emirates can confirm that Mr Ukesone was a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January, and that he had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight.

    “Despite the best efforts of our crew to intervene and reason with him, Mr. Ukesone repeatedly disturbed other passengers, refused to remain in his assigned seat, and forced his way into another cabin class.

    “He also assaulted crew and bit another passenger. As a consequence he was restrained by our crew. Our cabin crew are highly trained to ensure the safety and security of our passengers, and constantly monitored Mr. Ukesone’s welfare throughout the flight. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised.

    “Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger was handed over to the authorities in Chicago. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”

  • Driver charged with ‘removing passenger’s teeth’

    A 35-year-old driver, Jimoh Rafiu, who allegedly ‘punched off’ his passenger’s teeth, has been arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

    Rafiu, who lives at 5, Olaleye Street, Oko-Oba, Agege, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count charge of assault.

    The prosecutor, Victor Eruada, told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 14 at Salolo bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos.

    He said the accused assaulted Abraham Kunle, after he refused to refund his money when he had a puncture.

    “Kunle sustained mouth injury following the  punches he received from Rafiu during an argument.”

    The offences contravene sections 171 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. G.O. Anifowoshe, granted him bail at N25, 000 with two sureties.

    He said the sureties should be employed with an evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    The case was adjourned till October 20 for mention.

  • 16 burnt to death in Ife accident

    No fewer than sixteen people were burnt to death on Sunday in a fatal accident in Ife-Ife, Osun State, when an 18-seater passenger Totoya Hiase bus lost control and collided with a diesel laden tanker.
    According to eye witness account, the accident that happened around 12 noon occured when the driver of the ill-fated bus, who reportedly was on top speed rammed into the tanker, making a u-turn along Ibadan road.
    The bus marked (LAGOS) MUS 702 XH caught fire on the spot  and trapped its occupants, who reportedly made frantic effort to escape to no avail.
    The bus was said to be coming from Ore in Ondo State and heading to Ibadan when the incident occured.
    Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the crash, counted thirteen bodies of the victims, including three children, lying on bare floor infront of a filling station, the Energy Petrol Station, apart from three already evacutaed by the medical team from the Seventh Day Adventist for inmediate attention.
    Sympathizers attempted to assist the victims before the arrival of the men Fire Service at the scene.
    Two eye witneses, Oladele Mutiu and Gbenga Oluwole, who narrated the gory scene, said axes were used to help out the victims, who they said were pressed down by heavy loads and used vehicles’ engines.
    The eye witnesses linked the crash to over speeding by the driver of the bus.

  • Boat conductor ‘kills’ passenger’s brother

    Boat conductor ‘kills’ passenger’s brother

    The police have launched a manhunt for a boat conductor, Kole Adebayo, over the death of Abiona Ajisefinni at Igbogun village in Lekki Local Council Development Area of Lagos State on February 15.

    Last Friday, the police arrested the community’s Baale, Adekunle Onileiyan, but granted him bail to enable him produce the suspect.

    It was gathered that Adebayo’s father, a boat operator, was billed to attend a meeting at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba, but did not show up.

    His absence was said to have prompted the arrest of the Baale who came to represent him.

    According to sources, Adebayo stabbed the deceased with a sharp object while working as a conductor aboard his father’s boat.

    It was gathered that the suspect had a disagreement with the late Ajisefinni’s sister, Abosede, who was a passenger on the boat.

    The Nation learnt that Adebayo plucked some bananas from the bunch Abosede bought in the market, leading to quarrel between them. It was learnt that the argument led to a fight when they got to shore.

    The late Ajisefinni, who came to the waterfront to assist his sister with her load, sighted them fighting and rushed to her defence.

    Having settled the quarrel and scolded Adebayo for fighting with a woman, the late Ajisefinni carried his sister’s load and headed home.

    But unknown to him, the still enraged Adebayo allegedly pursued him stabbed him from behind.

    Adebayo was said to have fled the community with a friend, Asumo Giwa after the attack.

    A relative of the deceased who gave his name as Ahmed, said: “There was disagreement over payment for the banana because the boat conductor was just eating the banana the woman had bought for sale. In the course of the argument, Abosede told the conductor that she has his age mates as younger brothers at home and that one of them was around to assist her.

    “Immediately, the boat conductor heard younger  brother, he approached  Abiona Samuel Ajisefinni (deceased), who was assisting his sister to carry some goods and stabbed him in the neck with a spear. The boat conductor is a village tout but he worked with his father that day.

    “The deceased was rushed to Akodo General Hospital but died while in transit. The murder case was reported at Akodo Police Station but later transferred to SCIID Panti, Lagos Mainland. We are just pleading with the police to ensure justice is done. Our son should not die in vain.”

  • NCAA, police to arraign passenger for smoking

    An unruly passenger found smoking on board an aircraft contrary to civil aviation regulations has been handed over to the police for prosecution.

    The spokesman of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Sam Adurogboye made this known yesterday.

    The passenger (name withheld), according to him,  was onboard a South African Airways 060 from Johannesburg to Lagos.

    He was alleged to be smoking on board the aircraft in contravention of Section 58 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, Part.17.97.2 (a) and (c) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation 2012 (Nig.CARs).

    Adurogboye said NCAA and the Police have pledged to collaborate to ensure adequate investigation of the incident before prosecution.

    He said: “In line with Part 20.2.3.42 of the Nig.CARs, the stipulated penalty for smoking on board an aircraft is imprisonment of not less than two months.

    “It is important to note that according to the regulations, all airlines should and must as part of pre-flight formalities announce that smoking is prohibited anywhere in the cabin, including the toilet.

    ‘’This culprit, however, failed to adhere to this warning. Therefore, the NCAA will collaborate with the Police to ensure prosecution.

    ‘’The NCAA is committed to follow this case to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “In addition, our Directorate of Consumer Protection (DCP) has been strengthened to ensure passengers get full value for their money and comfort.”

  • Passenger dies on Port Harcourt-Lagos flight

    Two days after a middle-aged female passenger died at the toilet of the Lagos Airport, a  female passenger on board Arik Air’s Port Harcourt-Lagos flight was yesterday confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 1, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The spokesman of Arik Air, Mr Adebanji Ola, disclosed this yesterday.

    The lady, believed to be pregnant, according to the airline, boarded the flight from Port Harcourt in company of her husband and cousin. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

    Meanwhile, Arik Air is increasing its frequency on the Lagos-Dakar (Senegal) route to a daily service up from six weekly flights commencing February 22, 2016.

    The new schedule will operate with four of the Lagos-Dakar flights routed via Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire instead of the previous routing via Banjul. The other three flights will continue to operate via Accra, Ghana.

  • Passenger dies on Port Harcourt-Lagos flight

    Passenger dies on Port Harcourt-Lagos flight

    Two days after a middle – aged female passenger died at the toilet of the Lagos Airport, Friday another female passenger on board Arik Air’s Port Harcourt-Lagos flight was confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 1, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The spokesman of Arik Air, Mr Adebanji Ola disclosed this Friday.

    The lady according to the airline boarded the flight from Port Harcourt in company of her husband and cousin.

    The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

    Meanwhile, Arik Air is increasing its frequency on the Lagos-Dakar (Senegal) route to a daily service up from six weekly flights commencing February 22, 2016.

    The new schedule will operate with four of the Lagos-Dakar flights routed via Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire instead of the previous routing via Banjul.

    The other three flights will continue to operate via Accra, Ghana.

    The Lagos-Abidjan-Dakar service will operate on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday while the Lagos-Accra-Dakar service will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

    With the new schedule, Arik Air will be able to provide its customers convenient access between Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Abidjan and Dakar markets.

    The airline will also be increasing its frequency on the Lagos-Banjul route from three weekly to four weekly flights effective March 14, 2016. All the flights will be operated via Accra using a Boeing 737-700 Next Generation (NG) aircraft.

    The Lagos-Accra-Banjul service will be operated on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, making Arik Air the only airline operating non-stop from Banjul to Accra. Additionally, Abuja passengers can connect conveniently to Banjul via Accra on all four days.

    Arik Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Suraj Sundaram commented: “Being the largest airline in West and Central Africa comes with the responsibility to meet the increasing demand from our customers to improve connectivity in the region. We are committed to improving these connections to facilitate the movement of passengers and cargo seamlessly across our expanding network.”

  • Passenger dies on Owerri-Lagos flight

    Passenger dies on Owerri-Lagos flight

    A middle-aged man aboard Arik Air’s Owerri-Lagos flight has been confirmed dead by doctors on arrival at the Lagos Airport, the airline disclosed Wednesday.

    His body has been deposited in the mortuary by the Police while investigation into the immediate cause of death is ongoing.

    According to a statement by the airline, the passenger boarded the flight from Owerri in the company of a relative.

    The passenger was said to have shown signs of uneasiness midway into the flight.

  • Another passenger arrested with $34,000 at Lagos airport

    Another passenger arrested with $34,000 at Lagos airport

    An attempt by a passenger to smuggle 23 wraps containing $34,000 has been foiled by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The suspect, Ozoh Ikenna, was arrested  yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on his way to Brazil.

    The dollars were detected during screening of passengers on the Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi.

    The money was packed in wraps similar to narcotics and concealed in his shorts.

    The NDLEA Airport Commander, Ahmadu Garba, said  the arrest was facilitated by the scanning machine.

    “The wraps of dollars found on Ozoh Ikenna were detected with the aid of scanning machine. We also conducted a follow-up operation where one Ogbo Emmanuel who gave Ozoh  $34,000 was arrested,”  Garba stated.

    Investigation conducted by the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate headed by Mrs Victoria Egbase revealed that the suspects were involved in the laundering of a substantial amount of money which was illicit drug proceeds.

    Egbase said:”We were able to trace over N226,000,000 to one bank account, belonging to the second suspect, Ogbo Emmanuel. The account name is Eternal God International Limited”.

    Ogbo Emmanuel hails from Umunya in the Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. After his primary and secondary education, he travelled to Onitsha to work as an automobile parts businessman.

    In 1996, he relocated to Lagos. In 2005, he left Nigeria for Gambia in search of greener pastures. While in Gambia, he travelled to Germany twice to purchase fairly used electronic equipment.

    Ogbo came back to Lagos in 2008 and had been selling  cosmetic products at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

    Ozoh, in his statement, said:  “I live in Brazil since 2008. I was paid to smuggle the $34,000 to Brazil. They promised to pay me five per cent. I agreed to smuggle the money to alleviate my financial hardship. I could not swallow the wraps, so I decided to hide them in my shorts.”

    Investigation also revealed that suspected drug proceeds were regularly deposited in the said bank account by members of an international drug cell that smuggles cocaine from South America to West Africa.

    Findings also revealed that the cosmetic business of Ogbo Emmanuel at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos was a mere cover-up as his sales record did not justify the large flow of money into his bank account. A Hyundai Tucson Jeep was seized as an exhibit during the raid operation.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade,  said that the agency is strategically targeting criminal wealth.

    “Asset forfeiture is one of the effective ways of responding to organised crime threats. We are working assiduously to trace and confiscate criminal wealth of drug syndicates. Strategic efforts are ongoing to prevent the entry of drug proceeds into legitimate economy and criminal financing,” Giade stated.

    The NDLEA boss assured members of the public that in view of the overwhelming evidence linking the money to narcotics, the agency will diligently prosecute the suspects.