Passenger arrested for alleged theft on Ibom Air flight

A passenger aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly stealing N290,000 from a foreign traveller shortly before takeoff. The incident reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m., shortly after boarding had been completed. Eyewitnesses said the foreign passenger raised an alarm after discovering that cash kept in his bag […]

A passenger aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly stealing N290,000 from a foreign traveller shortly before takeoff.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m., shortly after boarding had been completed. Eyewitnesses said the foreign passenger raised an alarm after discovering that cash kept in his bag in the overhead luggage compartment was missing.

Cabin crew members promptly intervened, while another passenger informed them that he had earlier seen the suspect handling the foreigner’s bag. The suspect, however, denied any wrongdoing.

Although an initial search of the suspect’s hand luggage turned up nothing, tension mounted when some passengers demanded a body search.

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Witnesses said the suspect became visibly agitated, prompting further checks during which the missing cash was allegedly discovered hidden in his socks and under his seat.

Airport security personnel were immediately alerted, and the suspect was escorted off the aircraft and handed over to aviation authorities for investigation.

As of press time, Ibom Air had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.