A 25-year-old Nigerian man has been arrested and charged after allegedly using a counterfeit boarding pass to sneak onto a United Airlines flight at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The incident has raised serious concerns about airport security protocols.
Details of the Incident
Abdulrahman Oriyomi, 25, was charged with felony impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility on Friday, June 5, 2026. The charge stems from his alleged attempt to board a flight to Los Angeles last month.
According to court records obtained by Click2Houston, Oriyomi exhibited suspicious behavior while passing through the Terminal C security checkpoint. He was reportedly "constantly staring at his phone and delaying speaking to a TSA agent." When he finally addressed the agent, he had difficulty with his boarding pass and was escorted to another booth for a photograph.
Despite these issues, Oriyomi successfully cleared security and roamed freely within the airport. He later attempted to board a flight at gate E16, scheduled for departure to Los Angeles at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time.
Attempted Boarding
Court records indicate that when Oriyomi tried to scan a fake boarding pass, it failed, leading to a disagreement with a United Airlines employee around 7:10 a.m. He was turned away but remained in the area. About an hour later, he joined another boarding line for a different Los Angeles-bound flight. While gate agents were distracted with other passengers, Oriyomi managed to walk past them and proceed down the jetway.
Michael Matranga, a former Secret Service agent, described the incident as a significant security breach. "It's the multiple layers and failures to even get on the plane," he told KTRK. "They're not paying attention to his diversionary tactics. They're distracted, they're not situationally aware." He emphasized the need for retraining of airport agents.
Onboard the Aircraft
Once aboard United flight 469, a female passenger reported that Oriyomi seemed unsure about his seat. He sat in the aisle seat next to her but later stood up to use the restroom, only to find another passenger had taken his seat. Since the flight was full and his reservation had been canceled due to non-payment, Oriyomi hid in a bathroom at the back of the plane. A flight attendant knocked on the door, advising him to return to his seat.
Oriyomi then asked to sit in the jump seats, identifying himself as "Mr. Lopez." However, flight attendants realized no such passenger was on the manifest. The Houston Police Department was notified, and all passengers were deplaned while the aircraft was searched for explosives.
Arrest and Charges
Oriyomi was questioned on the same day and issued a trespass warning, but charges were not filed until June 1, according to KTRK. Following an investigation, he was arrested on Friday morning, June 5. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in airport security and the need for consistent enforcement of boarding procedures.
