By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said it will investigate the manhandling of the agency’s and Arik Air staff by the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Company ,NDDC, Mr. Dan Abia and his orderly, Police Corporal Califonia.

Mr  Idris Bashir, a Consumer Protection Officer of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA, attached to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was slapped  several times by the NNDC MD and his orderly.
Earlier, the Security detail attached to the NDDC boss, Police Corporal Califonia with service no. 382079 , had while brandishing a gun, descended on Mr. Joseph Nkayuk, an Arik staff at the Abuja Airport, raining blows on him.

According to Mr Sam Adurogboye ,Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA “ Joseph’s offence was that on arrival of Arik Flight W3 258 from Port Harcourt on the 26th May, 2014, he had denied not only the detail but all passengers who wanted to pick up their checked – in – bags at the tarmac, insisting that they should proceed to the arrival hall to claim their bags.”

Adurogboye further said the Arik staff who was following the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) eventually discovered that the Mr Abia’s bag has been erroneously reloaded on to another Arik flight by another handler and unfortunately the flight  had departed.

“Mr. Joseph Nkayuk therefore went to the NDDC Boss to explain the mix up and promptly the Police orderly pulled out his gun and threatened to shoot while he rained slaps and punches on Joseph. In the midst of this pandemonium, the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Officer Idris Bashir, who was on duty at that time had to intervene and calm frayed nerves.

He assured Mr. Abia that he would ensure the bag is retrieved.”
After investigation, Idris came back to inform the MD that the bag had been mistakenly reloaded to another destination and would soon be brought back and handed over. “ This response irked Mr. Abia who administered series of slaps on the defenceless NCAA staff claiming he had done nothing.”

“While the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is looking into these reports, we want to reiterate that passenger belligerence and violence are certainly against aviation regulations and would attract appropriate sanctions. Passengers are therefore advised to desist from such acts and instead forward a formal report to the Authority and their complaints will receive prompt attention.”