Nigerian carrier Air Peace has strongly denounced the “unruly conduct” of a prominent politician who allegedly assaulted staff and disrupted operations at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred around 6:10 a.m. when the politician arrived for a 6:30 a.m. flight to Abuja, only to find boarding had closed under the airline’s strict on-time departure policy. Air Peace confirmed the flight departed as scheduled without the late-arriving passenger.
In a statement, the airline detailed the subsequent altercation: “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.”
The disruption caused significant delays for other travelers. Air Peace implemented emergency measures to mitigate the situation, stating: “To minimize the further inconveniences, Air Peace swiftly activated an operational contingency plan to board affected passengers through an alternate terminal, ensuring the continuity of their travel plan.”
The airline expressed dismay at the politician’s behavior, noting: “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.”
Air Peace reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and operational efficiency while urging all travelers to maintain decorum: “We urge our passengers and guests to remain civil and cooperative at all times.”
