Posted by By Wole Shadare on
A PASSENGER on board an Owerri bound Chachangi Airlines flight was yesterday handed over to the Police for allegedly assaulting a female crew member on board the aircraft.
A PASSENGER on board an Owerri bound Chachangi Airlines flight was yesterday handed over to the Police for allegedly assaulting a female crew member on board the aircraft.
The passenger, whose name was given as Achilike O. by the airline, was said to have slapped the female crew member whose name was given as Sarah, after she instructed that all mobile phones be switched off shortly before take-off, as demanded by law.
The passenger reportedly continued making a call after the aircraft, a B737 began its start-up operations, preparatory to take-off.
Enraged by the action of the passenger and prompted by the apprehension of others on board the aircraft, the crew members led by Sarah forcefully seized the phone from Achilike, which led him to slap the female air hostess.
The situation, The Guardian, learnt caused pandemonium, as the aircraft was halted after the crew alerted the captain of the situation inside the cabin, who in turn alerted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security.
The security operatives arrested the man and handed him over to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Police for interrogation.
Operations Manager, Chanchangi Airlines, Mohammed Tukur, confirmed the development, adding that the airline would prosecute the passenger to serve as deterrent to others who choose to risk other passengers' lives by using their mobile phones on board airliners when it is extremely dangerous.
He stated that unauthorised use of phones could interfere with communications equipment between the pilot and the control tower.
Director- General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Olusegun Demuren, told The Guardian that the authority was still awaiting the report from the airline as at press time.
He added that it would take decisive action against any one who tried to jeopardise safety in the sector.