Chaos at Abuja airport as sisters fight over missed flight

Chaos erupted on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja when two adult sisters engaged in a violent fight after missing their United Airlines flight.

According to eyewitnesses, the pair had booked the same flight but arrived at the terminal after the boarding gate had closed. Their late arrival meant they were denied entry onto the plane.

Under Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Act, passengers are required to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure.

Frustrated over the missed flight, the sisters reportedly began blaming each other for the delay. What started as a heated exchange of words quickly escalated into a physical altercation.

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In full view of passengers and airport staff, the women traded blows and insults, scattering luggage and personal items across the terminal as they wrestled on the floor. The fight caused a temporary disruption in the area.

Security officers from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security Division swiftly intervened, separating the pair and escorting them to the airport’s interrogation office.

However, the confrontation continued inside. During the questioning, one of the sisters fainted, sparking panic among airport staff who immediately called for medical assistance.

An ambulance was reportedly summoned to take the unconscious woman to a nearby hospital, but her sibling resisted, claiming that the situation was “spiritual” rather than medical.

Despite her protest, the unconscious sister was transported to the FAAN clinic for treatment, where she is said to be receiving medical attention. Her condition remains uncertain.

Confirming the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu wrote:“Perhaps one of them blamed her sibling for their missing flight (not sure), but these two siblings began to fight each other.

“They scattered luggage and other items before being dragged to the interrogation office by airport security.“Inside, they began to fight again until one of them fainted. Calls were made for an ambulance to take her to the hospital, but her sister said that the problem is more spiritual than medical and, therefore, did not need a hospital.“She is presently receiving attention at the FAAN clinic. Hopefully, she makes a recovery. This is not how things should be.”

(PUNCH)