Panic reportedly broke out aboard a Nigerian domestic flight after a male passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit while the aircraft was in the air.
A video shared online showed passengers appearing distressed as some of them moved to restrain the man after he allegedly made his way toward the aircraft’s emergency exit.
One passenger who shared footage of the incident on X claimed the man attempted to open the door while the plane was at a high altitude, prompting concern among those onboard.
Another video from a passenger appeared to capture the tense moments inside the aircraft, with a woman visibly distressed as other passengers intervened.
The circumstances leading up to the alleged incident remain unclear, including what may have prompted the passenger’s actions. Reports circulating online also suggested there had been trouble involving the passenger earlier during the journey, although those claims have not been independently verified.
Despite the alarming situation, the aircraft reportedly landed safely, with passengers able to disembark.
Aircraft emergency doors are designed with safety mechanisms and, while the pressure differential during flight makes opening a main passenger door extremely difficult, passengers are still prohibited from attempting to operate emergency exits without authorization.
The incident has sparked reactions online, with Nigerians expressing shock at the footage and praising fellow passengers for quickly intervening to prevent the situation from escalating.
As of the time of publication, no official statement had been released by the airline or relevant aviation authorities identifying the passenger or providing a detailed account of what happened.
The incident comes amid renewed conversations online about passenger safety and how airlines should respond when a traveller becomes disruptive or behaves unpredictably during a flight.
Further details are expected if aviation authorities or the airline issue an official statement.
Credit: X/@dammiedammie35
