Nigerian Man Removed From UK Flight Over Prayer Message On His Phone

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 said: “That guy doesn’t know
me and within two minutes he’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 about
three 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
said 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.