A Nigerian passenger, who was travelling on Business Class from Abuja to Enugu aboard Arik Air, was caught stealing mid-air and taken into custody, said an airline staff who spoke to us anonymously.
The passenger boarded an Arik Air flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in November after paying for a business class seat, where some politicians were also seated.
After about 25 minutes in the air, the passenger reportedly stood up and reached to the overhead locker and pulled out a small bag full of cash.
After a cabin crew member noticed that he was back to his seat with
the bag already opened, she approached him and asked if the bag he was
already searching belonged to him.
The owner of the bag, who was seated just a row away realised that the bag being discussed was his with N500,000 in it.
He collected his bag with trepidation, but this time, he decided to
be a little bit more careful by keeping the money under his seat.
After landing in Enugu, the passenger was handed over to the police.
The airline has refused to officially comment on the matter.
It was not the first time money was stolen midair. Cabin crew have
been accused in the past of stealing money from passengers. But the
airlines have consistently vouched for the integrity of their staff.