LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has condemned what it described as the “unruly conduct” of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, following an incident that disrupted airport operations at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the airline, the incident occurred around 6:10 a.m., when the senator arrived for a scheduled 6:30 a.m. flight to Abuja.
Air Peace said that boarding had already closed in line with its strict on-time departure policy, and the flight departed as scheduled.
The airline alleged that upon being informed of the missed flight, Senator Oshiomhole became physically aggressive, assaulted airline personnel, and blocked the terminal entrance, preventing other passengers from accessing the departure hall.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance,” the statement read.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”
Airline officials said the disruption caused significant delays and forced the rerouting of passengers through an alternative terminal to minimise operational impact.
One airline staff member, speaking under condition of anonymity, described the senator’s conduct as shocking.
“He tried to disrupt our operations. He instigated a lot of his followers. He blocked the departure gates. He took laws into his hands. A senator?” the staff member said.
Eyewitness accounts and staff also alleged that Oshiomhole jumped onto a baggage conveyor belt and attempted to carry seats to block access to the departure area.
“He probably forgot that the airport has CCTV,” the official noted, adding that the senator admitted to arriving late but insisted he had checked in online.
Video footage obtained by ARISE News shows Oshiomhole visibly agitated and engaged in a heated exchange with airline staff.
In the clip, he is heard saying, “I am not here for privilege, give me my ticket or give me my cash.”
In its official response, Air Peace expressed disappointment over the incident, calling the senator’s behaviour “unbecoming and disruptive.”
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel,” the statement read.
“Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers.”
The airline also noted that other passengers who arrived late for the same flight acknowledged they had missed it and responded with civility.
Some reportedly questioned whether Oshiomhole would have behaved similarly at an international airport.
An airline official linked the incident to recent schedule adjustments following a spike in bird strikes in Owerri and Port Harcourt, which led to a 50% reduction in flight frequency and an emphasis on punctuality.
“Since May 12, we’ve achieved 98% on-time performance, and the competition is jittery,” the official said.
Officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were reportedly present during the altercation.
However, Air Peace suggested that regulatory bodies may not have taken the incident seriously enough.
“They appeared pleased with him,” one official claimed.
Air Peace stated it is preparing formal complaints to be submitted to the Nigerian Senate, NCAA, Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies.
