Oshiomhole Narrates Experience with Air Peace at Lagos Airport 

Senator representing Edo North and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has provided an account of the events that unfolded on Wednesday morning at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, Zulu Hall.

He recounted how passengers, including himself, were barred from boarding an Air Peace flight to Abuja despite having checked in online.

Comrade Oshiomhole, speaking to Vanguard following the circulation of a video on social media depicting his heated exchange with an airport official, attributed the chaos at the domestic terminal to Air Peace’s decision to prevent passengers from boarding while allegedly reselling seats at exorbitant prices to others on the spot.

His remarks were as follows: “I booked with Air Peace… They delayed the flight for over five hours. Ultimately, they announced a cancellation. I had to purchase another ticket. Yesterday, I booked a flight for 6:30 a.m., their first flight of the day. I booked and ensured I checked in online, which I did, along with two other Ghanaians who met me in Lagos. We checked in online to circumvent the last-minute issues I’ve encountered with them on multiple occasions.

“I arrived at approximately five minutes past six. They informed me the counter was closed. I replied, ‘No, I’ve already checked in.’ I presented evidence of my online check-in. Even before then, they inquired if I had checked in, to which I affirmed, and added that I had no luggage. They examined it but still insisted the gate was closed. Meanwhile, I observed they were still admitting other passengers.

So I inquired, ‘How can you close boarding for a 6:30 flight at 6:05? What is the purpose of online check-in, then?’ If I must undergo another check-in process, then what’s the benefit of checking in online?

“While conversing with them, I noticed numerous men and women who had been present even before me, sharing similar experiences. Essentially, they were selling tickets on the spot at inflated prices. I’ll provide an example. A lady purchased her ticket for N146,000 online. She arrived at the airport at 5:55 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. flight, after being delayed by the gatemen.

“They informed her she was late and that the counter had closed for check-in. She contested that it was impossible, as it wasn’t even 6:00 a.m. They told her she would be placed on the next flight. She protested, ‘Why? Put me on this flight.’ Yet they claimed the flight was full, and she would need to wait.

“Meanwhile, the airline was selling tickets on the spot for between N200,000 and N300,000. To exploit the situation, they deterred those who had purchased tickets online at lower rates and sold to individuals willing to pay more.

“I asked the manager, ‘What is this woman’s offense? She has a baby no older than six months. How can you refuse her boarding when the aircraft is still on the ground and more people are purchasing tickets?’ This cannot persist. Tomorrow, everyone will blame the government. You have regulatory agencies, and they are all compromised. You cannot board people buying tickets on the spot and deny those who booked days ago or checked in online.

“By the time the DSS and Air Force personnel arrived to ascertain what transpired, they intervened and offered to place the woman on the next flight—the same offer extended to me earlier. However, to board that next flight, they informed her she would need to pay N109,100. This was in addition to the original N146,000 ticket, meaning she would expend approximately N256,000 for a one-hour flight to Abuja. Many others found themselves in the same predicament, and the airport was abuzz with protests.

“I told the manager, ‘You must adhere to the rules.’ Many people were stranded, save for those who could afford another ticket. I accompanied the woman to the counter and advised her to comply with their requests. Those of us also denied boarding gathered there. Even when an officer offered me access to a lounge, bystanders urged, ‘Comrade, please don’t leave—this is how they’ve been treating us.’

“I had to send that woman N500,000. That’s essentially what transpired. I told them this cannot be tolerated. I checked in online and arrived on time. The aircraft hadn’t departed. I’m not supposed to check in twice. The tumult arose because many were denied boarding while tickets were being sold on the spot to others.”