By Andrew Haruna
The Bureau Newspaper
Lagos, Nigeria – A dramatic scene unfolded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) in Lagos on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, as Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo State, locked the terminal gate after missing his scheduled 6:30 AM Air Peace flight to Abuja.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts and a video that has since gone viral, Oshiomhole arrived at the terminal just 10 minutes before departure, at approximately 6:20 AM, long after boarding had closed. The flight, operating as P47120, departed on schedule in accordance with standard aviation timelines.
Infuriated by missing the flight, Oshiomhole reportedly took matters into his own hands—physically sealing the terminal entrance, disrupting other flight operations, and leaving fellow travelers stranded.
“He literally blocked the terminal gate and wouldn’t let anyone pass through. It was shocking,” said one eyewitness who spoke with The Bureau under anonymity.
The disruption forced Air Peace to reroute passengers through another terminal to minimize delays and maintain scheduled operations.
Air Peace Issues Official Statement
In a swift and strongly worded statement issued the same day, Air Peace condemned Oshiomhole’s behavior, describing it as “violent” and “unbecoming of a high-profile public figure.”
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance,” the statement read.
Air Peace reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward aggression, emphasizing the importance of punctuality and due process in aviation.
“No individual, no matter how influential, is above the values of discipline, integrity, and respect for due process,” the airline concluded.
SEE VIDEO BELOW:
Public Outrage Mounts
The incident has drawn criticism from citizens on social media and civil society advocates, many of whom called it a clear abuse of privilege.
“This is exactly what’s wrong with the Nigerian political elite,” said one social media user. “They think rules don’t apply to them.”
Others noted that Oshiomhole has a history of narrowly arriving before flights and expressed relief that Air Peace did not compromise its schedule due to his status.
What’s Next?
As of the time of this report, there has been no public apology or comment from Senator Oshiomhole. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has not issued any statement either, although calls for sanctions or investigation have begun to surface.
This episode underscores a growing call for equal enforcement of rules and protocols, particularly where public office holders are concerned.
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