Lagos, Nigeria – June 11, 2025 – Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, has raised alarm over what it described as a brazen act of interference and assault by a prominent Nigerian politician, who allegedly disrupted its operations and physically assaulted members of its ground staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the airline expressed deep concern over what it called “a reckless display of power” by the unnamed politician, warning that such actions threaten not only the safety of aviation workers but also the integrity of Nigeria’s civil aviation sector.
According to the airline, the incident occurred when the politician, reportedly accompanied by armed escorts, forced entry into a restricted operational area of the airport, verbally harassed airline officials, and physically attacked one of the workers after being denied unauthorised access to the boarding gate for a flight he had missed.
“This is not the first time we’ve experienced such impunity from politically exposed persons, but this case is particularly alarming due to the level of aggression and threat posed to our personnel and passengers,” the statement read in part.
Eyewitnesses at the airport confirmed the commotion, stating that security personnel had to intervene before the situation was brought under control. The assaulted staff member was said to have received medical attention following the incident.
While Air Peace refrained from naming the politician involved, insiders at the airline hinted that the matter has been reported to the relevant authorities, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for immediate investigation and disciplinary action.
Aviation unions and stakeholders have since reacted, condemning the incident and calling on the federal government to urgently address the growing trend of VIP intimidation in the aviation sector.
Speaking on the matter, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) described the incident as “an intolerable abuse of privilege” and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the politician involved.
“Airports are governed by strict rules, and no one, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. The safety and dignity of our aviation workers must be protected at all costs,” said NUATE General Secretary, Comrade Ocheme Aba.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the politician allegedly involved, nor from the Ministry of Aviation. However, public pressure is mounting as Nigerians on social media continue to demand accountability and justice.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest private airline, has reiterated its commitment to upholding safety, operational excellence, and the rule of law, while calling for enhanced protection for airline personnel across all airports in the country.
