UK Police Removed A Nigerian From Boarding A Flight Over Whatsapp Message

Laolu Opeyi,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.
The British-born Nigerian, 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, two firearms officers pulled him as off the flight. 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. After three good hours, he was freed and allowed to board another flight.
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.