An Air France flight bound for Abuja has left 61 Nigerian passengers stranded in Chad, raising significant concerns about their welfare.
The incident prompted immediate attention from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who took to social media to address the situation.
He directed the Consumer Protection Department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to step in and assist the stranded passengers.
Among the affected passengers was former House of Representatives member Hon. Johnson Agbonayima, who, along with others, expressed their distress in a video shared by Keyamo. The passengers called for swift action from Nigerian authorities to resolve the situation.
Keyamo explained that the flight diverted to Chad after dropping off some passengers en route to Abuja. He urged Air France to clarify the fate of the stranded Nigerians and ensure their safe return.
In response to the minister’s directive, the NCAA reported that the aircraft encountered technical issues due to weather conditions, necessitating the diversion. Michael Achimugu, Head of the Consumer Protection Department of NCAA, assured that the affected passengers had been accommodated in two hotels in Chad and that arrangements were underway for their prompt return to Abuja.
This incident is reminiscent of a recent event involving Turkish Airlines, which left over 300 Nigerian passengers stranded at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport. In that case, the Nigerian government intervened, facilitating the airlift of the stranded passengers to Istanbul.
The current situation with Air France highlights ongoing challenges in international flight operations and passenger management, emphasizing the need for robust contingency plans and effective communication to ensure passenger safety and comfort.