By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Operations at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) in Lagos were thrown into disarray early Wednesday, following an incident involving former Edo State Governor and Nigerian politician, Adams Oshiomole. The disruption occurred after Oshiomole reportedly missed his scheduled Air Peace flight and reacted in a manner described by the airline as “unruly and disruptive.”
According to a statement released by Air Peace management, Oshiomole arrived at the airport at 6:10 AM for Flight P47120 to Abuja, which was set to depart at 6:30 AM. However, in adherence to the airline’s strict on-time departure policy, boarding had already closed before his arrival, and the flight took off as scheduled. The airline emphasized that its boarding procedures apply uniformly to all passengers, regardless of status.
What followed, according to eyewitnesses and video footage circulating online, was an aggressive outburst from the former governor. He reportedly physically assaulted an Air Peace staff member and was seen climbing onto the check-in counter, shouting and resisting attempts by staff and passengers to calm him down.
The situation escalated when Oshiomole moved to the entrance gate of the Zulu Terminal, where he sat down and blocked entry, effectively barricading access for other travelers. This forced a halt in check-in operations and delayed several outgoing flights, stranding numerous passengers outside the terminal.
Importantly, the Zulu Terminal is used not only by Air Peace but also by other airlines, including Overland, Green Africa, and some Arik Air flights, thereby amplifying the impact of the disruption.
In response, Air Peace activated its contingency operations, redirecting affected passengers to an alternative terminal to mitigate the chaos and allow flights to continue.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel,” the airline said in its official statement. It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on violence, stating unequivocally that no one is above the law or aviation protocol.
The airline also emphasized that all passengers must respect airport timelines for safety and operational efficiency, urging civility and cooperation at all times.
“We will continue to uphold our values of discipline, integrity, and respect for due process. Any form of misconduct by anyone, regardless of social status, will not be tolerated,” the statement concluded.