A mild drama unfolded aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, when a passenger was caught allegedly stealing ₦290,000 from a foreign traveller.

The incident, which occurred around 7:00 a.m., happened moments after boarding had been completed, eyewitnesses told Vanguard.

According to passengers, a foreign national raised the alarm after discovering that cash he had kept in his overhead luggage compartment had disappeared.

Cabin crew immediately intervened to investigate the complaint. Another passenger then reported that he had earlier seen the suspect “handling the foreigner’s bag.”

Although a search of the suspect’s hand luggage initially yielded nothing, eyewitnesses said tension escalated when fellow travellers suggested a body search.

Witnesses said the suspect became visibly uneasy, prompting further checks during which the missing cash was allegedly found hidden in his socks and under his seat.

Following the discovery, the crew notified airport security. The suspect was escorted off the aircraft and handed over to aviation authorities for investigation.

Naijaonpoint learnt that the incident caused a brief delay, but the flight later departed for Abuja after normalcy was restored.

As of the time of filing this report, Ibom Air had yet to release an official statement on the matter.