A British-born Nigerian was removed from an Easyjet flight at Luton airport after a fellow passenger read a message that mentions 'prayer' on his mobile phone and alerted cabin crew, who raised alarm with the police.
Laolu Opebiyi was using WhatsApp to arrange a conference call prayer session with friends, as the Amsterdam-bound flight was waiting to take off at Luton airport on Thursday February 25 when a passenger next to him questioned him about message that included the word 'prayer' asking "What do you mean by prayer?"
The 40-year-old Nigerian-born business analyst from London explained to the passenger that he was preparing to pray with friends. Few minutes later, he was pulled off the flight by two firearms officers. It is thought the man misread the name of Mr Opebiyi's prayer group “ISI men” – which stands for "iron sharpens iron” from a Bible quote – as Isis.
Mr Opebiyi told the Guardian: "That guy doesn’t know me andwithin two minuteshe’s judging me. Even if I was a Muslim, it was pretty unfair the way I was treated. If we keep on giving into this kind of bigotry and irrational fear, I dare say that the terrorists will have achieved their aim."
Mr Opebiyi was taken into questioning by police and quizzed about his Christian faith and where he attends church. He was forced to hand over his phone and password so officers could check his communication. He was eventually freed and allowed to catch another flight aboutthree hours later.
Seven other passengers reportedly got off the flight fearing a terror threat and also took the next plane, Guardian reports.
A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said: "Officers attended and a passenger was removed from the flight as part of the enquiries. Officers notified easyJet that they were satisfied that there was no concern around the passenger travelling."
A spokeswoman for easyJet who apologised over the incident said: "Easyjet can confirm that following concerns raised by passengers, the captain of flight EZY2151 from Luton to Amsterdam requested the assistance of the authorities who took the decision to disembark and question the passenger. The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority which means that is a security concern is raised we will always investigate it as a precautionary measure. After questioning by the authorities, the passenger was cleared to complete his journey so easyJet arranged a later easyJet flight for him. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the passenger"
The officers cleared Mr Opebiyi for flight but the pilot refused to let him on and he was made to wait a further three hours to board the next flight to Amsterdam. He told the Guardian that he is aftraind that he is on a terrorist watchlist.
"I stand in uncertainty about my freedom of movement in the UK" he said.
In continuation of their offensive clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, today, March 3, troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion of 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army, demystified Boko Haram terrorists spiritual power base at the Alagarno forest, Borno State.
The troops based on tip off, conducted a clearance operation around Alagarno forest general area, destroying terrorists camps at Mosa, Ariwuzumari and Kagalmari, as well as Missene, Joba, Yajiwa and Sansan
During the operations, the troops were able to clear all the camps, killing quite a number of terrorists and recovered Boko Haram terrorists flags hoisted on some premises, destroyed their logistics base and recovered 31 motorcycles, assorted foodstuffs, a donkey and a pick up van, AK-45 rifle with registration number 17714 and a Dane gun.
Other items recovered include 2 boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, 4 loaded magazines of AK-47 rifles and 2 magazines pack.
A Ghanaian shared this photo of a lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology caning his students. SMH!
Immediate past chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Victor Umeh, was today arrested by men of the Department of State Security DSS. According to Channels TV, Umeh was picked up in Enugu and then flown to Abuja for questioning. The reason behind his arrest is yet unknown.
A dead baby in a carton was found dumped at N. P. A by Warri Sapele road opposite police Barrack junction close to Warri Central hospital this evening. See the photos after the cut....
The three abducted schoolgirls of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu area of Lagos State have been tracked to Arepo area of Ogun State.
A combined team of security operatives who have been working on the case was said to have narrowed the whereabouts of the kidnapped schoolgirls to the creek in Arepo.
Top Commander of Boko Haram and fifty-five other militants have been killed during a battle with the Multi-National Joint TaskForce at Malumfatori in Abadam local government area of Borno state.
Reports from the local government said, the insurgents have been battling with military since last week for the control of the area.
A military officer, who was not authorized to speak to the Press said, two soldiers were killed while two others sustained injuries.
Speaking with one of the politician from Abadam, Alhaji Modu Alhaji, he toldDAILY POSTthat the northern Borno area, particularly the Chad basin area had fish and food that have been sustaining the Boko Haram fighters.
“That is why they have been having the power to come out and fight the military, but from what we are hearing, soldiers are gradually pursuing them and closing all the food supply routes.
We hope that the soldiers are able to clear them from the area as their presence in that area has affected fish business,” he said.