On Wednesday morning, Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, had arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 1, at 6:10AM for his flight to Abuja. However, boarding had closed for the 6:30AM flight P47120.
Airpeace staff notified the Senator he has missed the flight. All hell broke loose when the Senator resorted to violence, forcefully blocking the terminal’s entrance.
Mr Oshiomhole accused the airline of extortion subsequently. Airpeace has released a public statement addressing the Senator’s allegations.
Airpeace statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
“The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.
“None of our staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats; but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.”
The statement debunked Oshiomhole’s claims of allegedly fighting for other passengers with his actions at the terminal.
The statement further reads, “It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to forment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal. While he was doing all these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.
“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see. His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
