Ibom Air's clever tactics led to the capture of the in-flight thief
A passenger named Ogenechuko David, traveling on an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Abuja, was caught red-handed, allegedly stealing a laptop. He was seen taking another passenger's laptop from their bag in the overhead cabin.
The laptop owner noticed David's suspicious behavior during the flight and decided to check the location of his laptop, only to discover that it was missing from his bag.
Without delay, the owner alerted the crew members, prompting an immediate search that caused a half-hour delay. Eventually, the laptop was found in David's possession, leading to his offloading from the aircraft. The Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) took charge of the situation, conducting a thorough investigation. Subsequently, David was handed over to the police for further inquiry, as stated by the airline.
In a statement, Aniekan Essienette, the general manager of marketing communication at Ibom Air, revealed that the suspect's involvement in stealing onboard aircraft had been confirmed by the police. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 26.
Following the discovery, the laptop owner willingly disembarked from the flight to aid in the investigation and assured that they would cooperate until the case reaches a satisfactory resolution, as stated in the announcement.
Ibom Air strictly adheres to its corporate policy, demonstrating zero tolerance for any criminal activity on board our flights. Any offender involved in such actions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
It may be recalled that a certain individual, Kingsley Chinsunum, was accused of stealing the sum of one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000.00) from a wallet inside a bag placed in the overhead bin during Ibom Air flight 4150 at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal two Ikeja, on May 31, 2023.
Kingsley Chinsunum has already been charged and is presently undergoing trial at the Ikeja Magisterial District.
Additionally, there was a recent incident where a passenger, Mr. Adebayi Adelugba, attempted to stage the theft of his checked-in bag, falsely declaring it missing and accusing the airline of negligence, threatening legal action. However, this attempt was foiled by CCTV footage, which captured him in the act.
At the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos, he pleaded guilty to charges of threatening Ibom Air, causing public disturbance, and providing false information. As a result, he was convicted and received a two-week prison sentence along with a fine.
The airline verified the incident and acknowledged an upsurge in onboard theft cases. Emphasizing the significance of passengers being vigilant and attentive to their belongings during flights, the airline advised following crew members' instructions and taking necessary precautions to minimize such occurrences.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to promptly report any suspicious activities they notice during their flights to the crew members. Taking immediate action can prevent potential thefts and contribute to a safer and more secure travel experience for all passengers on board.
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