Ibom Air passenger theft: Man caught stealing N290k from foreigner’s luggage aboard Lagos-Abuja flight. Arrested after body search revealed hidden cash
Ibom Air passenger theft sparked drama on Wednesday morning when a male traveller was arrested for allegedly stealing ₦290,000 from a foreign passenger’s luggage during boarding.
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The incident occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight scheduled to depart from Lagos to Abuja, leading to a temporary commotion in the cabin and swift action from aviation security officials.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was seen rummaging through the foreign national’s bag, which had been placed in the overhead compartment.
The theft was discovered just as final boarding procedures were underway, around 7:00 a.m.
“The foreigner suddenly shouted that cash was missing from his bag,” said one passenger who requested anonymity. “At first, nothing was found in the suspect’s hand luggage, but another passenger recommended a body search. That’s when the money was found.”
Sources at the airport revealed that part of the stolen cash was tucked into the suspect’s socks, while the remainder was hidden beneath his seat.
The cabin crew acted swiftly, notifying security personnel who boarded the plane and deboarded the suspect. He was later handed over to police for further investigation.
Spokesperson for Ibom Air, Annie Essienette, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday. “Yes, the report is accurate,” she said. “Thanks to the swift intervention of our crew and security operatives, calm was quickly restored. The suspect is now in police custody.”
However, it appears the case may not progress further, as the foreign passenger has **declined to press charges, a move which could result in the suspect’s release.
Despite the unsettling situation, the flight eventually departed without further delay.
This shocking episode of Ibom Air passenger theft adds to growing concerns over in-flight security and the safety of passengers’ belongings on domestic routes in Nigeria.
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Many social media users have since called for stricter screening and surveillance to prevent similar incidents.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
