Flight Frenzy: Passenger Reportedly Arrested For ₦290,000 Theft On Ibom Air Flight To Lagos

The incident, which occurred shortly after boarding was completed around 7:00 a.m., reportedly began when a foreign national raised the alarm upon discovering that his cash, kept in the overhead compartment, had gone missing.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that cabin crew promptly intervened after another passenger claimed to have seen the suspect “tampering with the foreigner’s luggage.”

An initial search of the suspect’s hand luggage produced nothing, but tension heightened when co-passengers insisted on a body search. Witnesses said the suspect became visibly nervous, leading to a more thorough inspection during which the missing money was allegedly found hidden inside his socks and beneath his seat.

The flight crew immediately alerted airport security, who escorted the suspect off the aircraft and handed him over to aviation authorities for further investigation.

The incident caused a brief delay before the flight eventually departed for Abuja once calm was restored.

As of press time, Ibom Air had not issued an official statement regarding the alleged theft.