The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will investigate an airline over alleged poor ventilation aboard a flight from Abuja to Calabar after a passenger reportedly started bleeding due to excessive heat inside the aircraft.

The NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Tuesday while reacting to a social media post by a passenger, Bashir Usman, who narrated his experience on the flight on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Usman said passengers boarded the aircraft at 12:07 p.m. but remained inside for about 50 minutes without the engines running or the air conditioning functioning.

He explained that the heat became unbearable, causing him to start bleeding.According to him, the aircraft eventually arrived in Calabar at 2:04 p.m., despite the flight having a scheduled duration of just 45 minutes.

Usman described the experience as distressing, while appreciating fellow passengers who came to his aid by fanning him and providing a portable hand fan.

He also disclosed that the cabin crew initially attempted to have him disembark because of the bleeding, apparently out of concern for a possible medical emergency.

Reacting to the incident, Achimugu said he had spoken with Usman over the phone and sympathised with him.

The NCAA spokesperson, however, defended the cabin crew’s decision to consider removing the passenger, stressing that their primary responsibility was to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.

He explained that although Usman attributed the bleeding to heat, the crew could not immediately determine the cause or rule out a medical emergency.

Achimugu further noted that cabin crew members were expected to remain vigilant, particularly amid recent Ebola concerns, and cautioned passengers against preventing aviation personnel from performing their safety duties.

The NCAA is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident following its investigation.