Edo North Senator, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, disrupted flight operations at the Zulu Terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
According to sources, the Senator, who arrived late to his scheduled flight, forced the closure of the terminal.
It was gathered that despite entreaties from the terminal manager, Oshiomhole refused to give way.
The former Edo governor, sources revealed, arrived after his 6:30 am Air Peace flight to Abuja has long departed.
Upon learning that boarding had closed, Senator Oshiomhole reportedly stationed himself at the terminal entrance, preventing other passengers and airport staff from accessing the facility.
The situation lingered for long causing delays and preventing other passengers from boarding their scheduled flights.
According to a source, it took a meeting convened by the regional airport manager before the Senator allowed flight operations to resume.
In a reaction, Air Peace management described his action as unacceptable.
The management condemned what it called “unruly conduct by a prominent Nigerian politician.”
According to the statement, the politician arrived at Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) at approximately 6:10 AM for a 6:30 AM flight.
In line with the airline’s standard policy on timely departures, the boarding process had closed by then, and the flight departed as scheduled.
The airline stated that the politician, upon being informed he had missed the flight, physically assaulted staff members, forcefully barricaded the terminal entrance, and even sealed off the entry gate, obstructing other passengers from accessing the facility.
The altercation reportedly caused widespread disruption to airport operations and delayed multiple flights.
“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,” the statement read.
The airline reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, integrity, and due process, adding, “No individual, no matter how influential, is above these values.”
Oshimhole is yet to issue any statement on the incident, but Nigerians have been condemning his actions.
Most Nigerians on social media commended Air Peace for upholding its standard procedure despite the personality involved.