Police Seize Five Air Peace Vehicles in Lagos Runway Probe

The Nigerian Police have escalated their investigation into the recent disruption at the Lagos airport runway, confirming the impoundment of five Air Peace vehicles. This figure marks an increase from the initial three vehicles taken into custody. The specific vehicles now held by the police bear plate numbers AJJ 589EX, KTU 440EZ, AAA 831F, KTU 85FH, and EPE 656HF.

This development follows an incident where individuals, believed to be Air Peace employees, allegedly parked these vehicles on the airside of the Lagos airport, thereby impeding the regular movement of aircraft. Reports had previously indicated that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had towed three Air Peace buses into police custody after they were discovered in a position that could obstruct airport operations. Subsequent inquiries by The PUNCH revealed the number of seized vehicles had risen to five.

Confirming the updated count, Muhammed Adeola, spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police, stated that the five Air Peace vehicles are currently under police control. Adeola also disclosed that as part of their ongoing investigation, the police have contacted Air Peace, instructing the airline to identify and produce the drivers responsible for taking the vehicles to the restricted area of the airport.

Air Peace, however, has countered by suggesting that 'impostors' might have been behind the alleged misconduct involving their vehicles. The airline has pledged to conduct an internal inquiry to identify those responsible for the incident. As of the time this report was filed, Adeola noted that the police had yet to receive the findings of Air Peace's internal investigation. He affirmed that the vehicles would remain impounded until the airline provides the identities of the drivers.

"Yes, you are correct, there are five in our compound," Adeola stated. "When we started our investigation, we met with Air Peace and expected them to provide us with the drivers. But they told us that they believed some saboteurs must have driven their vehicles and all of that. They then promised to conduct an internal investigation and provide us with whoever they found to have driven the buses. Until then, the vehicles will be in our possession, since we must know those who attempted to disrupt the smooth running of airport operations."

The incident unfolds amidst an ongoing industrial dispute initiated by aviation unions. The unions are protesting Air Peace's alleged failure to remit the legally mandated five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This industrial action had previously led to the grounding of Air Peace operations at both Lagos and Abuja airports, causing significant disruptions for travelers.

Air Peace has been singled out by the unions as the largest debtor of funds owed to the NCAA. Prior to the strike, the unions had issued multiple warnings, threatening to picket airlines found to be defaulting on the five per cent TSC remittance. Additionally, the unions have raised concerns that some domestic airlines hinder employees from freely joining trade unions, leading to fear of discrimination or victimization among workers. Despite the disruptions, the unions have described their industrial action as a measured response, citing several weeks of unresolved issues with the affected airlines. Efforts to obtain a comment from Air Peace's spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, on the matter were unsuccessful.