June 12, (THEWILL) – Air Peace has debunked allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, that its staff extort passengers at the airport, describing the claims as false, defamatory, and shameful.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its management on Wednesday, the airline challenged the former Edo State governor to provide evidence of any passenger being extorted and urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage capturing his movements at the airport.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomhole against Air Peace.
“The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge him to bring forward just one piece of evidence to support this serious allegation.”
The airline insisted that no staff member extorted any passenger and that all tickets for the flight in question had been purchased before the closure of check-in.
“No ticket was sold after check-in had closed. Moreover, the flight was not overbooked, as claimed in some of the Senator’s circulating videos. The aircraft actually departed with over 30 empty seats,” the statement continued.
Air Peace noted that it would have been in its financial interest to allow the late passengers, including Oshiomhole, to board, but said it prioritized its strict on-time performance policy over monetary gain.
“It is entirely untrue that Senator Oshiomhole was offered preferential treatment or that he was standing up for other passengers. He arrived late, was informed he had missed the flight, and then resorted to disruptive behavior,” the airline said.
According to Air Peace, the lawmaker jumped on a baggage conveyor belt, obstructed check-in operations, barricaded the terminal entrance, and incited other passengers against the airline’s staff.
“We are calling on FAAN to release the CCTV footage from the moment Senator Oshiomhole arrived at the airport. His extortion claim is defamatory, and his conduct was violent, disruptive, and utterly unbecoming of someone in his position,” the statement concluded.
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, safety, and prompt service delivery, adding that no individual, regardless of status, is above the airline’s operational procedures.
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