BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace has reacted to the viral video of former Edo State Governor and serving Senator, Adams Oshiomole, wherein he lambasted the flag carrier for extorting hapless victims.
But the airline has said that what played out at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall), Lagos, on the morning of Wednesday, June 11, 2025, was nothing short of unruly and disruptive behaviour by the legislator.
The airline in a statement also described his conduct as “violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
According to Air Peace, the former governor and serving senator arrived at the airport at approximately 6:10 a.m. for Flight P47120, which was scheduled to depart for Abuja at 6:30 a.m. In accordance with its strict on-time performance policy, the boarding gate had already closed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
Air Peace stated that upon being informed he had missed the flight, Oshiomhole reacted aggressively by physically assaulting staff, barricading the terminal entrance, and obstructing other passengers from accessing the facility.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal,” the airline said in a statement.
To mitigate the disruption, the airline said it activated a contingency plan to redirect affected travelers through an alternative terminal, allowing operations to continue with minimal delay.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel.
Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers,” the statement read.
The airline emphasized the need for all travelers to respect aviation protocols and maintain civility: “No individual, no matter how influential, is above these values. 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.”
In response to videos and public claims made by the senator, Air Peace further debunked accusations that the airline had engaged in extortion or overbooking.
“The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted,” the airline said.
“No ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.”
The airline also refuted claims that Oshiomhole was denied boarding in favor of others or that the flight was full: “In fact, the aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats; but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.”
Air Peace went on to accuse the senator of causing a major scene: “He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt preventing the check-in process of other flights.
He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal. While he was doing all these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the airline.”
Calling the allegations defamatory, the airline urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage from the terminal to “let Nigerians see” the true events as they unfolded.
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, discipline, and professionalism, reiterating that violence and false accusations will never be tolerated, regardless of who is involved.
