..Reiterates Commitment to Aviation Safety

The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Police Command, has concluded arrangements to arraign two suspects, Enaruna Prince Aghama (51) and Tony Ajayi (43), for alleged unruly conduct and behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace aboard an aircraft.

The suspects were handed over to officers of the International Airport Police Division by personnel of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit after the Air Peace flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for investigation.

According to the Airport Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Adeola, preliminary investigation revealed that at about 7:44 p.m. on July 9, 2026, while travelling on an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, the two passengers allegedly lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft. The action reportedly triggered the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic among passengers and members of the cabin crew.

Further investigation showed that the suspects were also in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to enforce safety regulations and calm the situation, further disrupting the orderly operation of the flight.

The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, mnips, PhD, condemned the incident, stressing that any conduct capable of endangering aviation safety or disrupting flight operations would not be tolerated.

She reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing aviation security laws and safeguarding the lives of passengers, crew members and all airport users in line with relevant aviation regulations and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) By-Laws.

CP Olufunke also urged air travellers to obey all lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation personnel, noting that discipline and responsible conduct on board aircraft are essential to ensuring safe air travel.

She added that the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.