Doctor goes berserk at Abuja airport, destroys Dana counters, other equipment

For more than thirty minutes, a middle aged man, Dr. Chike Okogwu and some passengers  went berserk as they engaged in wanton destruction of properties belonging to Dana Airlines and unleashed violence on staff  at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Allegedly in response to rescheduled flight, the passengers led by Okogwu became combative, went on rampage destroyed the carrier’s reservation computer system, counters after physically assaulting Dana staff who took to their heels.

The irate passengers effortlessly carried out the action without security operatives in sight to arrest or stop them from executing their action.

The situation, while it lasted exposed the airport and other users of the airport to danger as they were seen sacking the entire workers in the area before they commenced destruction of properties.

Woleshadarenews learnt that Okogwu and others had been contacted by security operatives long after he left the scene of violence as Dana vowed that they would press vandalism and assault charges against him to serve as deterrent to other would-be violators.

A viral video captured the incident at the airline’s counters at the Abuja airport.

Dana, in a statement condemned the violent conduct of Okogwu and others that took part in the act.

Vandalised properties of Dana Airlines by irate passengers at Abuja airport

The airline said Okogwu( a PWD Person With Disability) whom they regarded as Special Passengers at Dana Air, “got to our counter yesterday, 20th December 2020 at about 8pm for his flight and when our Duty Manager noticed him in the midst of the upsurge of passengers, approached him and politely explained to him that as a matter of policy, comfort and safety of our guests, we do not carry Special Passengers at night while offering to check him in first, on the 7am flight the next day”.

“The said passenger blatantly refused the offer and went violent on the Duty Manager causing her injuries in the process. This same passenger also went further to destroy our check-in systems, chairs, Covid-19 Protective glass shields and weighing machines at our counter in Abuja. (We have our video evidence)”.

The airline further stated that Okogwu had enjoyed the luxury of flying with Dana for many years even as other airlines have totally refused to sell tickets to him as a result of his reputation of verbally attacking able-bodied staff assigned to assist him whenever he is flying.

“Apart from this reason, other airlines avoid him. Dr Chike knows that Dana Air is among the few airlines that accept Persons with Disability with a policy which we expect them to follow strictly in their own interest and in the interest of safety.

“While we acknowledge and regret the frustrations of our guests at this time and working round the clock to resolve the undesirable issues our guests are experiencing, we wish to state without an iota of doubt that Dana Air has never, and will never as a brand; discriminate against ANY passenger no matter the circumstance.

“Dana Air will also not tolerate any acts of violence against any of her staff, passengers or property and as a law abiding corporate citizen of Nigeria, we urge Dr Chike Okogwu to be civil in his engagements as everything we do at Dana Air will always be in the interest of safety”.

Wole Shadare