Air Peace Refutes Oshiomhole’s Extortion Claims After Lagos Airport Incident
Leading Nigerian airline Air Peace has publicly challenged Senator Adams Oshiomhole to provide evidence supporting his claims that airline officials extorted passengers during a flight incident at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1) in Lagos.
The airline issued a firm rebuttal after reports surfaced that the senator had disrupted operations at the terminal following his missed flight to Abuja on Wednesday.
What Happened at the Lagos Airport?
Oshiomhole Accuses Air Peace of Unfair Practices
Senator Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, claimed that despite checking in online, he and other passengers were denied boarding. He further alleged that Air Peace staff sold tickets on the spot at inflated rates to late-arriving buyers.
In a video statement, he said:
“They were selling tickets at the last minute to willing buyers while ignoring those of us who had checked in online. That is dishonest.”
Air Peace: “Oshiomhole Lied Blatantly”
Airline Denies All Allegations
In a detailed statement released Wednesday night, Air Peace dismissed Oshiomhole’s claims as false and defamatory, stating:
“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 clarified that no tickets were sold after the check-in deadline and that the flight in question was not overbooked, contrary to what the senator implied.
“The aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to accommodate late passengers like Oshiomhole, but we value punctuality over profit,” the statement noted.
Allegations of Disruption and Disorder
Oshiomhole Accused of Aggressive Behavior at Airport
Air Peace further accused Senator Oshiomhole of causing a public disturbance at the airport:
Jumping on the baggage conveyor belt, halting other check-in operations
Blocking the entrance gate, preventing terminal access
Instigating other passengers against Air Peace staff
“His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful,” the airline stated.
Air Peace Calls for CCTV Release
Urging FAAN to Provide Visual Evidence
In an effort to clear the air and maintain its reputation, Air Peace urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage of the incident to the public.
“We call on FAAN to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see the truth,” the airline said.
The Bigger Picture
This incident adds to growing scrutiny over the behavior of public officials in public spaces and the pressure on Nigerian airlines to uphold integrity and customer trust amid logistical challenges.
As of now, Senator Oshiomhole has not responded to Air Peace’s demand for evidence or the call for CCTV footage release.
