Saudi Airlines has come under heavy criticism after leaving hundreds of Kano-bound passengers stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for nearly 48 hours, a situation that reportedly escalated into tension and serious security concerns.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the disruption began after bad weather conditions in Kano forced a Saudi Airlines flight to divert to Abuja. However, while other airlines affected by the same weather challenge made alternative arrangements for their passengers, Saudi Airlines reportedly failed to do so, leaving about 401 passengers stranded.

The NCAA disclosed this in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Mr Michael Achimugu, who revealed that the situation became so volatile that it posed a real risk of violence.

Achimugu said he had to abandon personal plans after receiving reports of credible threats from angry passengers at the airport, describing the episode as one of the most intense moments of his career.

“Yesterday, I had to make a U-turn while heading to my barber’s shop after receiving reports of a valid threat of extreme violence from stranded Saudi Airlines passengers in Abuja,” he said.

According to him, Saudi Airlines returned to its base after diverting to Abuja without ensuring that its passengers were transported to their final destination, unlike other airlines that faced similar weather-related diversions.

He recounted personally stepping into the middle of the crisis, where hundreds of frustrated passengers had been left for hours without clear information on when or how they would reach Kano.

“I stood amidst over 200 angry passengers, pacifying, reprimanding and resolving. This is the most adrenaline-rushing part of my job. It requires tact, firmness, wisdom and teamwork. But it is risky. Some passengers are extremely violent,” Achimugu said.

He added that at the peak of the tension, an enraged passenger threatened to physically assault him, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the potential danger involved.

Following intervention by the NCAA and other aviation stakeholders, efforts were made to transport the stranded passengers to Kano. Achimugu disclosed that three separate flights eventually conveyed passengers, with the final flight carrying 34 people. In total, 189 passengers were successfully flown to Kano.

He said Saudi Airlines had committed to compensating all affected passengers for the disruption.

“This brings to an end a disruption of almost 48 hours that began as force majeure, transitioned into poor passenger handling, and ended with a strong display of effective teamwork, from the Minister to the DGCA and down to our hardworking Consumer Protection Officers,” Achimugu stated.

Attempts to obtain a response from Saudi Airlines were unsuccessful. The airline is neither domiciled in Nigeria nor operates an information office in the country, and emails sent by journalists had not been responded to as of the time this report was filed.

The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of passenger rights and stronger accountability measures for foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.