An unidentified male passenger was arrested by Aviation Security officers and handed over to police after N290,000 went missing from a foreign national’s luggage in the overhead compartment of an Ibom Air flight preparing to depart Lagos for Abuja on Wednesday.
Boarding was being finalised at about 07:00 when the foreign traveller discovered cash missing from his bag kept in the overhead locker. The traveller raised the alarm and the cabin crew intervened, prompting an on‑board investigation that led to a commotion requiring security involvement.
An eyewitness on the flight, who asked not to be named, said another passenger reported seeing a man handling the foreigner’s bag shortly before the alarm was raised. The suspect denied wrongdoing when challenged. The suspect’s hand luggage was searched but the missing cash was not initially found.
As tensions rose, further checks followed after an observant passenger suggested a body search. Part of the money was discovered hidden in the suspect’s socks and the remainder was found concealed beneath his seat, according to an airport staff member who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter. The suspect was deboarded and taken into custody by security operatives.
Ibom Air’s spokesperson, Annie Essienette, confirmed the incident and the role of the crew and security teams.
She said, “Yes, the incident is true, and the timely intervention of both the crew and security operatives helped to restore calm immediately. The suspect was handed over to the police. However, the victim is not interested in pressing charges, so the suspect may be released.”
The foreign passenger maintained that N290,000 had been taken from his bag. The suspect remained in police custody pending the next steps following the victim’s indication that he did not wish to press charges.
The incident occurred before the aircraft left Lagos for Abuja and involved items stored in the overhead compartment, an area routinely used by passengers for carry‑on items. Cabin crew intervention and the involvement of Aviation Security officers led to the swift de-escalation described by witnesses and airline personnel.
