How passenger stole N350,000 on Abuja- bound flight

LAGOS—There was mild drama aboard a 6:45a.m. Aero
flight from Lagos to Abuja yesterday, as one of the
passengers (names withheld) stole about N350,000 from a
luggage belonging to an Austrian, Novotny Anton, also a
passenger on the flight.


The 31-year-old suspect, seating on seat number 23C, was
said to have been spotted by one of the airline’s cabin crew
when he removed the Austrian’s bag from the locker where
it was kept as he was planning to change his seat.
An eyewitness, who was aboard the aircraft, said the
suspect removed the bag from the locker where the Austrian
sat, took it to his own seat, giving the impression that he
was changing seat and stole N150,000 and 500 Euros
belonging to the Austrian.
The suspect ran out of luck when a female cabin crew saw
him and asked him to remain seated when he was trying to
return the bag to the overhead locker before the Austrian
could suspect any foul play.
When the plane landed at Abuja airport, the Austrian could
not find his bag and raised alarm. The cabin crew member
told him to check the bag with the suspect.
After the suspect was stripped naked, he told other angry
passengers that he mistakenly took the bag in place of his
own.
The Austrian later discovered that N150,000 and 500 Euros
had been taken from the bag.
Other passengers immediately descended on the suspect
and the money was later found on him, alongside a wrap of
marijuana.
Aero spokesman Mr. Simon Tumba, said the airline would
issue an official statement on the incident later.