Aviation Minister Orders Probe Into Air Peace And Oshiomhole Airport Dispute.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has intervened in a high-profile dispute between Air Peace and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, ordering a thorough investigation into an altercation at Murtala Muhammed Airport’s domestic terminal in Lagos. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 11 June, has drawn widespread attention, prompting Keyamo to call for calm and a fair review of the matter.
The confrontation reportedly began when Senator Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, missed a scheduled Air Peace flight (P47120) to Abuja. According to Air Peace, the senator arrived at Terminal 1’s Zulu Hall around 6:10 a.m., after boarding had closed, and reacted angrily, allegedly blocking the terminal entrance and disrupting operations. The airline condemned Oshiomhole’s actions as “unruly” and “unacceptable,” stating that his conduct delayed other passengers and necessitated rerouting through an alternate terminal.
In response, Oshiomhole denied causing disruptions, accusing Air Peace of extorting passengers by demanding additional payments from those who had checked in online and reselling tickets at inflated prices to latecomers. He claimed that 20 to 30 other passengers faced similar treatment, with staff allegedly requesting N109,100 to reschedule them onto a later flight.
Keyamo, addressing the issue via his verified X account on Friday, confirmed he has been in direct contact with both parties since the incident. “Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence, and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in a way that guides future conduct in similar situations,” he stated. The minister urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to exercise restraint and adhere to the principle of hearing all sides before reaching conclusions.
The investigation has been welcomed by industry stakeholders, with some, including Blessing Agbomhere, South South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, calling for a broader overhaul of aviation regulations to address inefficiencies and protect passengers. Agbomhere described Air Peace’s alleged actions as “unjust” and urged the NCAA to sanction those involved while demanding an apology to Oshiomhole.
As the probe unfolds, Keyamo’s intervention signals a commitment to resolving the dispute impartially and setting a precedent for handling similar incidents. The outcome is expected to shape future policies, ensuring greater accountability and professionalism in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Both Air Peace and Oshiomhole have been urged to refrain from further public exchanges to allow the investigation to proceed unhindered.
