There was a mild drama onboard an Ibom Air flight on Wednesday after a male passenger was apprehended for allegedly stealing N290,000 from a foreign traveller’s luggage inside the aircraft’s overhead compartment.
The incident, which occurred shortly before the plane was set to depart from Lagos to Abuja, triggered chaos among passengers until Aviation Security officers intervened. The suspect was eventually removed from the aircraft and handed over to the police.
An eyewitness onboard the flight said the drama unfolded around 7:00 a.m. as boarding was being completed. The foreign passenger reportedly raised an alarm when he discovered that N290,000 in cash had disappeared from his bag stored in the overhead locker.
According to the witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, the cabin crew quickly began an internal investigation. Another passenger then claimed to have seen a man rummaging through the foreigner’s luggage shortly before the alarm was raised. The accused passenger, however, denied the allegation.
An airport worker, who also asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the money was later found on the suspect following a body search prompted by another passenger’s suggestion.
He said part of the cash was recovered from the suspect’s socks, while the rest was discovered hidden beneath his seat.
Confirming the development on Thursday, Ibom Air’s spokesperson, Annie Essienette, said the airline’s prompt response helped contain the situation.
She said, “Yes, the incident is true, and the timely intervention of both the crew and security operatives helped to restore calm immediately. The suspect was handed over to the police. However, the victim is not interested in pressing charges, so the suspect may be released.”
(PUNCH)