Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has issued a stern condemnation of Senator Adams Oshiomhole following an incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning.
The airline described the senator’s conduct as “unruly” and disruptive to airport operations and fellow passengers.
The incident occurred around 6:10 a.m. when Senator Oshiomhole arrived for a scheduled flight to Abuja, set to depart at 6:30 a.m. Air Peace officials stated that boarding had already closed in adherence to the airline’s strict on-time departure policy, and the flight departed as scheduled without the senator on board.
Upon being informed that he had missed his flight, Senator Oshiomhole allegedly reacted violently—assaulting airline staff and physically obstructing access to the terminal.
According to Air Peace, the senator barricaded the entrance to the departure hall, preventing other passengers from entering and causing significant delays.
“Upon notification of his missed flight, the senator resorted to physical aggression, assaulting our employees and sealing the terminal entrance, effectively blocking other travelers from accessing the departure hall,” the airline stated.
Eyewitnesses and airline staff described a chaotic scene, with Oshiomhole reportedly climbing onto a baggage conveyor belt and attempting to use airport seats to block passageways. Video footage obtained by Newsmen shows the visibly agitated senator confronting airline personnel, demanding either a ticket or a refund and criticizing the airline’s punctuality.
In a heated exchange, Oshiomhole was recorded saying, “You delay a flight for four hours, you want people to pay for your incompetence. I’m not here for privilege—give me my ticket or my money.”
An Air Peace official, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the behavior, questioning how a senator could take such disruptive actions: “He tried to disrupt operations, mobilized his supporters, and took the law into his own hands. It’s baffling.”
The official also clarified that the airline had recently adjusted flight schedules following a surge in bird strikes in Owerri and Port Harcourt, implementing measures that have improved on-time performance to 98%. The official suggested that some competitors might be unsettled by Air Peace’s improved efficiency.
Despite the incident, other passengers who missed the flight reportedly accepted the situation calmly, with some even questioning whether Oshiomhole would have acted similarly at an international airport abroad.
Air Peace expressed disappointment that a high-profile public figure would behave in a manner detrimental to both passengers and airline staff, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on violence and aggression.
The airline further noted the presence of officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during the incident but hinted at a perceived leniency towards the senator’s conduct.
In response, Air Peace is preparing formal reports on the episode for submission to the Nigerian Senate, NCAA, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities, seeking investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
As of this report, Senator Oshiomhole has yet to issue a public statement addressing the allegations.
