The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Police Command, has concluded arrangements to arraign two passengers, Enaruna Prince Aghama, 51, and Tony Ajayi, 43, over alleged unruly conduct aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos.
According to an official signed statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Airport Police Command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, the suspects were handed over to the International Airport Police Division by Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for further investigation.
The statement said preliminary investigations revealed that at about 7:44 p.m. on 9 July 2026, the two passengers allegedly lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft while it was in flight, triggering the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system and causing panic among passengers and cabin crew.
Police further disclosed that the suspects were found in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to enforce safety regulations and de-escalate the situation, thereby disrupting the orderly operation of the flight.
Commenting on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the suspects’ actions, describing any conduct capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting aircraft operations as unacceptable.
She reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the strict enforcement of aviation security laws and the protection of passengers, crew members and other airport users in line with relevant aviation regulations and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) By-Laws.
The Commissioner also urged members of the travelling public to comply with all lawful directives issued by airline operators and aviation personnel, stressing that discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft are essential to ensuring the safety of air travel.
The statement added that the suspects will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.
