ABUJA: Sisters Fight Over Missed Flight, One Collapses

Passengers and airport staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were left in shock on Sunday after two adult sisters engaged in a physical altercation that ended with one of them collapsing during interrogation by security officials.

The incident happened after the siblings missed their scheduled United Airlines flight, having arrived late at the terminal.

An eyewitness who spoke to Punch said the duo had booked the same flight but got to the airport after the boarding gate had closed. The argument began when one sister blamed the other for their delay. What started as a heated verbal exchange degenerated into a fight, with the two women throwing punches and hurling insults at each other in the full glare of other passengers.

“It was shocking. They were shouting and fighting right there in the terminal. Their bags and personal items were all over the floor,” the witness said.

The fight disrupted activities at the departure area for several minutes before normalcy was restored.

Security operatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) eventually intervened. They dragged both women to the airport’s interrogation office for questioning.

However, the altercation continued even inside the office. According to the NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, who confirmed the incident in a post on his official X account, the sisters resumed fighting during interrogation, which led to one collapsing.

“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,” Achimugu wrote.

The fainting caused panic among airport officials, which prompted an immediate call for medical assistance.

The NCAA’s Spokesman said the conscious sibling objected, but FAAN medical personnel rushed the unconscious woman to the airport clinic, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Her condition remains unclear as of press time. The FAAN is yet to state whether disciplinary measures will be taken or if the sisters may face prosecution for breaching airport peace and safety regulations.

Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) operational guidelines stipulate that passengers must arrive at the airport at least two hours before boarding time for domestic and international flights.