A dramatic scene unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday after two adult sisters engaged in a fierce altercation.
According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began after the pair missed their scheduled United Airlines flight due to their late arrival at the terminal.
Despite having booked the same flight, they arrived to find the boarding gate already closed.
Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Act mandates that passengers arrive at least two hours before departure, a rule the sisters reportedly violated.
Frustration soon turned into confrontation, as one sister allegedly blamed the other for their missed flight.
The disagreement escalated from heated words to a full-blown physical fight before stunned passengers and airport staff.
Luggage and personal items were flung across the terminal as the women wrestled each other to the ground, causing a major disturbance.
Security personnel from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s Aviation Security unit intervened swiftly, pulling the duo apart and escorting them to the airport’s interrogation office.
However, the situation deteriorated further when the fight resumed inside the office. In the ensuing chaos, one of the sisters reportedly collapsed.
Her sudden collapse caused panic among airport workers, who immediately called for medical help.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene, but the conscious sister reportedly refused medical intervention, claiming the incident had “spiritual” rather than physical causes.
Despite her resistance, the unconscious sister was taken to the FAAN clinic, where she is currently receiving treatment. Her condition remains uncertain at this time.
Confirming the incident on his X handle, the Spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, wrote:
“Perhaps one of them blamed her sibling for their missing flight (not sure), but these two siblings began to fight each other. They scattered luggage and other items before being dragged to the interrogation office by airport security.
“Inside, they began to fight again until one of them fainted. Calls were made for an ambulance to take her to the hospital, but her sister said that the problem is more spiritual than medical and, therefore, did not need a hospital.
“She is presently receiving attention at the FAAN clinic. Hopefully, she makes a recovery. This is not how things should be.”
