Christian Ejected From Flight After Being Mistaken For A Terrorist

London business analyst Laolu Opebiyi, 40, was removed from an EasyJet plane by armed police because another passenger saw the word "prayer" on a WhatsApp message on his phone.

Opebiyi said he was trying to arrange a conference call prayer using WhatsApp. In order to establish his innocence he gave his phone and password to airline officials. Opebiyi is a Nigerian-born Christian who believes the passenger next him thought he was a Muslim and perhaps, a terrorist.

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. I don’t think anyone, irrespective of their religion should be treated in such a way. If we keep on giving into this kind of bigotry and irrational fear, I dare say that the terrorists will have achieved their aim."

Opebiyi's conference call group is called ISI men ("Iron Sharpens Iron"). Opebiyi thinks the passenger thought it was ISIS.

Opebiyi was cleared by a detective, but the pilot would not allow him back on the flight. He also had an officer accompany him to the EasyJet desk to find another flight, for which he had to wait three hours. In addition, seven other passengers left the previous flight due to the alleged terrorist threat. One passenger saw Opebiyi and said, "If he is on the next flight, I am not getting on the flight."

Of the incident, an EasyJet spokesman said "The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority which means that if a security concern is raised we will always investigate it as a precautionary measure. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused to the passenger."

Photo: Davina Diaries, Metro