A disruption occurred at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning following a heated exchange between Senator Adams Oshiomhole and staff of Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace over a missed flight.
Oshiomhole was reported to have arrived late after the flight formalities had been completed, and taxied-off, but insisted on boarding, citing that he had completed online check-in.
An angry Oshiomhole held the staffers of the airline hostage and disrupted flight operation.
However, in a statement issued after the altercation, Air Peace said boarding had already closed by the time the senator arrived, and the flight had departed as scheduled.
The airline alleged that Oshiomhole became aggressive after being informed he had missed the flight. According to the statement, the senator physically assaulted staff members and blocked the terminal entrance, temporarily 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,” Air Peace stated. “He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers.”
As of the time of reporting, Senator Oshiomhole has not publicly commented on the incident.