The Nigeria Civil Gliding Authority and Kenya Airlines are lately attractive in an change of phrases over allegations regarding the maltreatment of a passenger recognized as Ms Gloria Ibukun, who was once heading to Manchester, United Kingdom, from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
A video sighted by means of this correspondent confirmed a fierce argument between the Nigerian passenger and airline officers on the switch table in Nairobi.
The passenger was once stated to have flown into the rustic thru connecting flights as routed by means of the airline.
The PUNCH collected that Kenya Airlines routed her to move from Nigeria thru Nairobi, Paris, and upcoming to Manchester, the similar path she had adopted into the rustic. However time turning back Manchester, the airline dropped her in Nairobi upon claims that she doesn’t have a Schengen Visa.
In the meantime, in a talk with the Director of Folk Affairs and Shopper Coverage of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, advised our correspondent that the airline had showed to the passenger that she have been routed to fly thru the similar path she flew into Nigeria.
Achimugu added that he’s in ownership of a video that confirmed that officers of Kenya Airlines had been impolite to the Nigeria passenger.
The NCAA publicist, thru his X account, insisted that if Kenya Airlines refused to snatch the passenger to her vacation spot, there could be repercussions.
He stated, “If Ms Gloria Ibukun Omisore is not airlifted safely to her final destination within a couple of hours, there will be ramifications. There are limits that must not be crossed, and in 2025, you will treat Nigerian passengers better.”
Month stressing that the airline officers had been unprofessional of their dealing, Achimugu additionally cautioned the passenger to shun violence, stressing that “I have advised the passenger that unruly behaviour is inexcusable at any airport and she can be blacklisted by the airline, and even pay fines. The NCAA does not condone unruly behaviour.”
Chastising the airline, Achimugu added, “ There’s no foundation to have attempted to forcefully delete her video.
“You will have to now not have allowed her to board your gliding from Nigeria if she was once now not certified because of visa necessities. You issued her boarding passes and let her loose Lagos. She flew into Nigeria by the use of your airline at the similar path.
“She claims to have called the airline BEFORE paying for the ticket, but she was told that she was qualified since she owns a BRP. The statements made by your staff were inappropriate for someone in the industry. “Call your president,” insinuates a batch.
Responding, Kenya Airlines defined that the passenger was once introduced an supplementary to move thru London and onward to Manchester, however the passenger refused.
The airline, in its observation posted on its X take care of, added that, upon the passenger’s refusal of the airline’s choice, she asked lodging, “ which Kenya Airlines does now not handover in circumstances the place boarding is denied because of visa necessities. It’s the accountability of passengers to assure they’ve the vital documentation for his or her progress.
“In a distressing flip of occasions, the visitor resorted to beside the point behaviour by means of putting off and throwing 3 old sanitary pads at our staff.
“We strongly condemn such habits. Month we stay dedicated to turning in remarkable provider, we predict all interactions to be according to mutual appreciate. Our staff should paintings in a cover and dignified climate, and we don’t survive any abuse from our staff or visitors.
“The incident has been reported and is under investigation by the relevant security agencies. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure the well-being and safety of our employees and guests at all times.”