The management of Air Peace has denied any involvement in the arrest of some persons that were protesting the cancellation of their flight by their management.
Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu had raised alarm that “some passengers protested about 3 hours flight delay and Air Peace “management detained them @ Airport police station.”
But in reaction, the management of Air Peace in a statement on Wednesday said the claim isn’t true, accusing the passengers of unprofessional conduct.
“The passengers in the video were supposed to be on a 19:20 Lagos-Abuja flight (September 28) but consequent upon tenable unforeseen operational concerns, the flight was delayed. We put 46 of them on a flight that departed at 19:16, leaving behind 46 passengers. The delay was professionally communicated to the passengers and we apologised for the delay and inconveniences.
“However, a certain male passenger, Paul Samuel, who suddenly became uncontrollably irate, assaulted our Boarding Officer.
“This was clearly unnecessary and despicable. We were about distributing refreshments in consonance with NCAA Regulations but Paul’s action disrupted the process and noise erupted from different quarters while he incited other passengers against the airline.
“FAAN Security was notified as the passengers were now trying to gain entrance to the airfield even when the aircraft was not yet on ground. FAAN Security was compelled to lock the Boarding Gate to prevent the passengers from going to the airfield, a highly regulated part of the airport.
“At 22:35, we called for boarding for the remaining 46 passengers. Due to his
violent behaviour, Paul was arrested by FAAN Security.
“The action was taken in the best interest of the passengers and the airline.
“Also, the lady, Okoroafor Rita, who recorded the video being circulated, without the consent of those being recorded, was arrested by FAAN Security.
“FAAN Security repeatedly told her to stop recording but she did not. These arrests made some other passengers become unruly but with reinforcement from FAAN Security, the situation was managed, and the remaining passengers were able to board. The arrests of Paul and Rita were done by FAAN Security in line with their standard procedures.”
“Again, we sincerely apologise for the inconveniences experienced by the
passengers last night as a result of the flight delay as it was caused by unavoidable operational factors. Air Peace is committed to providing Nigerians safe and seamless connectivity across cities and will not deliberately delay flights.”
However, despite the denial by Air Peace, Gwamnishu provided further update insisting that Air Peace is involved in the arrest of their passengers.
“My team are currently at the police station and sitting behind the canter are the two passengers detained by @AIRPEACE management.
“Although Air Peace denied arresting the two passengers but at the moment, management of Airpeace are here at the police station,” he wrote on his verified Facebook page assuring that: “They will be released to us soon.”
