Police probe runway blockage, hold three Air Peace buses

The Nigeria Police Force has impounded three buses belonging to Air Peace, confirming they are in police custody following allegations of blocking the runway at the Lagos airport. The incident occurred during an industrial action by aviation unions on Tuesday.

ASP Muhammed Adeola, spokesperson for the Police Airport Command, stated that investigations have begun to identify the drivers who allegedly drove the vehicles onto the runway, causing obstructions and disrupting aircraft movement. While no arrests have been made, the buses are expected to help investigators determine responsibility.

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I just spoke with the international division now, and they confirmed that the buses are in our custody because they blocked the runway and that caused disruptions, and the vehicles were towed and brought to our office.

"We have commenced investigations, and that is currently ongoing, and as we speak, no arrest has been made. We’re on it," Adeola said. "As I mentioned, investigations are ongoing to identify who took those buses to obstruct the airside."

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We have commenced investigations, and that is currently ongoing, and as we speak, no arrest has been made. We’re on it. As I mentioned, investigations are ongoing to identify who took those buses to obstruct the airside.

The industrial action significantly disrupted Air Peace's operations in Lagos and Abuja, leaving passengers stranded. The unions' action primarily targeted Air Peace, citing claims of the airline being the largest debtor to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regarding the five percent Ticket Sales Charge. Unions had previously warned airlines that refused to remit the TSC.

An aviation security expert, Group Capt John Ojikutu (retd.), commented that the incident exposed serious security gaps at the airport.

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You know the airline might not just want to give the names of the persons who drove the buses, but now that the buses are with us, through that we will get to the root of the matter, and those who drove the buses will be unravelled.