Air Peace accuses Oshiomhole of ‘disrupting’ operations after missing flight
….My story with Air Peace – Oshiomhole
Air Peace has condemned the “unruly conduct” of Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, at the Zulu Hall located at the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 1.
In two videos circulated on Wednesday on X, Oshiomhole could be seen addressing an official at the airport and also sitting in front of a gate at the terminal.
Addressing the incident via a statement, the airline accused the politician of disrupting its airport operations after missing a scheduled flight.
“The prominent individual in question arrived at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) at approximately 06:10 AM for Flight P47120 scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 06:30 AM,” the statement reads.
“In line with our standard on-time departure policy, the boarding process had closed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”
According to the statement, the “unacceptable” behaviour caused significant disruption to ongoing operations and affected numerous travellers scheduled for various flights.
Air Peace said it activated an operational contingency plan to board affected passengers through an alternate terminal, ensuring the continuity of their travel plans.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel,” the airline said.
“Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers. We urge all guests, to remain civil and cooperative at all times.
“Aviation operations are bound by strict timelines and safety protocols, and we remain committed to upholding these standards while delivering safe and timely services to the Nigerian public.”
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to upholding discipline, integrity, and respect for due process, adding that “no individual is above these values”.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Edo North and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has given insight into what transpired on Wednesday morning at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, Zulu Hall.
He narrated how passengers, including himself, were prevented from boarding an Air Peace flight to Abuja despite having checked in online.
Comrade Oshiomhole, who spoke to Our Correspondent after a video surfaced on social media showing him in a heated exchange with an airport official, said the commotion at the domestic terminal was sparked by Air Peace’s decision to prevent passengers from boarding while allegedly reselling seats at inflated prices to others on the spot.
His words: “I booked Air Peace… They delayed the flight for over five hours. In the end, they announced a cancellation. I had to get another ticket. Yesterday, I booked a flight for 6:30 a.m., which is their first flight today. I booked and asked them to check me in online, which I did, along with two other Ghanaians who met me in Lagos. We checked in online just to avoid the last-minute issues I’ve had with them a couple of times.
“I got there at about five minutes past six. They told me the counter was closed. I told them, ‘No, I’ve already checked in.’ I showed them the evidence of my online check-in. Even before then, they had asked if I had checked in, and I told them yes, and that I had no luggage. They looked at it but still said the gate had been closed. Meanwhile, I noticed they were still taking other people in.
“So I asked, ‘How can you close boarding for a 6:30 flight at 6:05? What is the purpose of online check-in, then?’ If I had to go through another check-in process, then what’s the point of checking in online?
“While speaking to them, I saw many men and women who had been there even before me, with similar experiences. Basically, they were selling tickets on the spot at higher prices. I’ll give you an example. A lady bought her ticket for N146,000 online. She arrived at the airport at 5:55 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. flight, after the gatemen had delayed her.
“They told her she was late and that the counter had closed for check-in. She said that was impossible, as it wasn’t even 6:00 a.m. They told her she would be put on the next flight. She protested, saying, ‘Why? Put me on this flight.’ But they told her the flight was full and she would have to wait.
“Meanwhile, the airline was selling tickets on the spot for between N200,000 and N300,000. To take advantage of the situation, they discouraged those who had bought tickets online at lower rates and sold to people willing to pay more.
“I asked the manager, ‘What is this woman’s crime? She has a baby that’s no more than six months old. How can you refuse to board her when the aircraft is still on the ground and more people are buying tickets?’ You cannot continue like this. Tomorrow, everyone will blame the government. You have regulatory agencies, and they are all compromising. You cannot board people buying tickets on the spot and deny those who booked days ago or checked in online.
“By the time the DSS and Air Force personnel came to find out what happened, they intervened and offered to put the woman on the next flight—the same offer they had made to me earlier. But to board that next flight, they told her she would have to pay N109,100. This was in addition to the original N146,000 ticket, meaning she would spend about N256,000 for a one-hour flight to Abuja. There were many others in the same situation, and everyone was shouting at the airport.
“I said to the manager, ‘You must follow the rules.’ Many people were stranded, except those who could afford another ticket. I followed the woman to the counter and told her to do whatever they asked. Those of us who were also prevented from flying gathered there. Even when an officer offered me access to a lounge, people around said, ‘Comrade, please don’t leave—this is how they’ve been treating us.’
“I had to send that woman N500,000. That’s basically what happened. I told them this cannot be allowed. I checked in online and arrived on time. The aircraft hadn’t taken off. I’m not supposed to check in twice. The rowdiness arose because many people were denied boarding while tickets were being sold on the spot to others.”
