Lagos Airport Commotion: Air Peace Accuses Senator Oshiomhole of Violent Outburst After Missed Flight [VIDEO]

 

A dramatic scene unfolded early Wednesday morning at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, when Senator Adams Oshiomhole allegedly reacted furiously after missing his scheduled Air Peace flight to Abuja. Nigeria’s largest carrier has publicly condemned what it described as a brazen display of “unruly conduct” from the former governor and prominent politician.

According to the airline, the senator arrived at the terminal at approximately 6:10 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. departure. By the time of his arrival, boarding had already been closed in accordance with the carrier’s recently tightened on-time departure policy. Despite his claims of online check-in, Air Peace maintained that Oshiomhole did not meet the boarding time requirements and was not permitted to board.

What followed, according to multiple airline officials and eyewitness accounts, was an episode that disrupted operations and shocked both passengers and airport staff alike. Oshiomhole, visibly agitated, reportedly became aggressive after learning he could not board. He is accused of physically confronting airline staff, obstructing the terminal’s entryway, and inciting his supporters to join in halting access to the departure hall.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the senator at one point climbed onto a baggage conveyor belt and even attempted to drag seating units to barricade the terminal entrance, escalating the disruption to an unprecedented level. Videos captured during the fracas and circulated by ARISE News show Oshiomhole vocally berating staff, demanding a refund and accusing the airline of incompetence.

“You delay a flight for four hours, and you ask people to pay for your incompetence. You don’t deserve to exist!” the senator can be heard shouting in the footage.

Air Peace, in a strongly-worded statement, voiced its dismay over the incident, calling the behavior of the senator not only “disruptive” but also “completely unbecoming of a public servant.” The airline highlighted the chaos caused by the blockade, which delayed other passengers and forced the implementation of an emergency rerouting protocol to another terminal to minimize the operational fallout.

“This is not about privilege or politics,” said one senior airline official who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “Other late passengers acknowledged their tardiness and accepted the consequences. What he did was a show of entitlement that put dozens of other travelers and our staff under immense stress. It was an abuse of position.”

Though Oshiomhole reportedly justified his frustration by citing his online check-in, Air Peace reiterated that digital check-in does not override mandatory boarding gate deadlines. “He was late. The rules are clear. Being a senator does not grant anyone the right to violate standard aviation procedures,” the official added.

The incident comes amid ongoing changes in Air Peace’s flight operations. In response to an increase in bird strike incidents affecting safety, particularly around Owerri and Port Harcourt, the airline implemented a new flight structure on May 12. This included cutting flight frequency by half and positioning extra aircraft on standby—measures which the airline claims have led to a 98% on-time performance rate in recent weeks.

Despite the magnitude of the confrontation, some airport authorities reportedly appeared nonchalant. Both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were said to have been present during the altercation. However, according to Air Peace, these agencies did little to contain the situation or reprimand the senator at the time. “They seemed more amused than concerned,” remarked the anonymous airline representative, expressing frustration over the perceived lack of accountability.

Air Peace confirmed that it will be filing formal complaints to the Nigerian Senate, the NCAA, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant bodies. The airline is seeking a thorough investigation and is urging appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken to ensure such conduct is not repeated.

Calls for public officials to set a better example in matters of civic behavior are already circulating in the wake of the episode. Passengers who witnessed the scene voiced concern over the level of impunity and the risk to public safety when decorum is replaced by political bravado.

As of press time, Senator Oshiomhole has not issued any public response to the allegations or the statements released by Air Peace.

The event raises broader questions about the responsibility of public office holders to model patience, civility, and respect for institutional rules—especially in public spaces where their actions bear significant influence.

Spill the ☕️

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole locks the terminal gate of the MMA 1 Zulu terminal, having missed his Air Peace flight from Lagos to Abuja scheduled by 6:30am.

This subsequently caused other passengers to miss their flight pic.twitter.com/YKWPXY3CdX

— Daily Spill Naija ☕️ (@DailySpillNaija) June 11, 2025