“Fury As Saudi Airlines Leaves Passengers Stranded in Abuja”

Saudi Airlines has faced widespread criticism after leaving 401 Kano-bound passengers stranded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for nearly 48 hours, sparking tension and raising security concerns.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that adverse weather in Kano forced the airline to divert to Abuja but noted that the airline failed to make proper arrangements to transport passengers to their final destination.

NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, who shared a statement on his verified X handle on Monday, said he was personally involved in managing the situation. He described the ordeal as one of the most challenging moments in his career.

“Yesterday, I had to turn back from my trip to the barber after receiving reports of a credible threat of extreme violence from stranded Saudi Airlines passengers in Abuja,” Achimugu said. He explained that other airlines also diverted to Abuja due to the same weather conditions, but unlike them, Saudi Airlines reportedly returned to its base without ensuring that its passengers were accommodated or flown onward.

Achimugu recounted being surrounded by over 200 frustrated passengers, many of whom had waited for hours without clear information on onward travel.

“I stood among more than 200 angry passengers, calming, advising, and resolving disputes. This is the most adrenaline-charged part of my role. It requires tact, firmness, and teamwork, and it can be risky because some passengers are extremely agitated,” he said. He added that one particularly angry passenger even threatened him physically, but he managed to de-escalate the situation through dialogue.

While Saudi Airlines does not operate a base in Abuja, which complicated logistics, the NCAA emphasized that the situation could have been handled more professionally. Achimugu also met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, stressing that no airline can operate in the country without complying with consumer protection regulations.

Thanks to coordinated efforts, the stranded passengers were eventually flown to Kano in batches on three UMZA-operated flights.

• The first flight carried 74 passengers and four crew members.
• The second flight transported 73 passengers and four crew members.
• The final flight took 34 passengers.

In total, 189 passengers were successfully transported to Kano. The NCAA stated that Saudi Airlines has committed to compensating the affected travelers.

“This concludes a nearly 48-hour disruption that began as a force majeure event, worsened due to poor passenger management, and ultimately ended with effective teamwork from the minister to the DGCA and all Consumer Protection Officers,” Achimugu said.