AN Air France aircraft has abandoned some Nigerian passengers on board from Paris to Abuja in Chad after a flight disruption, leaving them stranded, The ICIR findings have shown.
In a viral video on X on Sunday, June 2, passengers could be seen stranded and helpless while lamenting on the tragedy.
In the video seen by The ICIR, a man was seen lamenting about the situation saying that they arrived at Chad after Air France dropped them, including children, elderly women, and men stranded.
“Air France has not provided any means of accommodation for us and this is unacceptable, they cannot treat us as animals.
“They dumped us at the hotel and the hotel is telling us that they don’t have rooms, we are all at the passage. This is a very sad situation, but we are hoping for the best,” he said.
Reacting to the issue, the minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo, noted via a post on his official X account that he has called on the appropriate body to swing into action.
“It has come to my attention that some Nigerians on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja are presently stranded in Chad, from where the flight earlier dropped some passengers. I have immediately directed the Consumer Protection Department of NCAA to swing into action and engage Air France.
“We shall inform everyone of the outcome soon. Meanwhile, I urge @AirFranceNG to immediately issue a statement on the fate of those Nigerians,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the airline, Air France has apologised for leaving Nigerian passengers stranded on its flight AF878 scheduled to connect N’Djamena in Chad to Abuja, noting that the flight was canceled due to a heavy storm in N’Djamena.
They further stated that they have been able to provide accommodation for the passengers in hotels, ensuring their safety and comfort, adding that a some of the passengers will be able to board AF820 on Sunday June 2 at 7.45pm (landing in Abuja at 9.15pm), while others will board AF 4191 on Monday June 3 at 8.15am (landing in Abuja at 10.15am).