Chaos erupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday when two sisters engaged in a violent fight after missing their United Airlines flight, leaving one of them hospitalized.
Witnesses told reporters that the siblings arrived at the airport after the boarding gate had already closed, resulting in their inability to board the flight. What started as an argument over who was responsible for their lateness soon spiraled out of control. According to onlookers, the sisters began shouting at each other before exchanging punches in full view of stunned passengers and airport staff.
The fight caused a commotion inside the terminal, with luggage and personal belongings scattered across the floor. Airport security officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security unit quickly stepped in, separating the women and escorting them to the airport’s interrogation office for questioning.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when one of the sisters suddenly collapsed during the interrogation. The incident sparked panic among airport personnel, who immediately called for medical assistance. An ambulance was dispatched, and the unconscious woman was rushed to the FAAN clinic for emergency treatment. Her current condition remains unclear.
Surprisingly, the other sister opposed the decision to take her sibling to the hospital, insisting that her sister’s collapse was not a medical issue but a “spiritual attack.” Despite her objections, medical personnel at the airport went ahead to treat the unconscious woman.
Confirming the incident on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, said the altercation began when one sister appeared to blame the other for their missed flight. “They started fighting inside the terminal and destroyed luggage before security intervened. Even at the interrogation office, they fought again until one of them fainted. Calls were made for an ambulance, but her sister said the problem was spiritual and not medical. She’s now being treated at the FAAN clinic,” Achimugu wrote.
He also urged travelers to always adhere to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s regulation, which requires passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights to avoid similar situations.
The bizarre incident has since gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many expressing shock at how far the confrontation escalated. Others have used the situation as a reminder of the importance of punctuality and emotional restraint during stressful travel moments.