By Benson Daniel
The Nigeria Police Force has taken five vehicles belonging to Air Peace into custody as investigations continue into the obstruction of aircraft movement at the Lagos airport during an industrial action by aviation unions.
The vehicles were reportedly positioned on the airside of the airport during the disruption, creating an obstruction that affected the movement of aircraft.
The number of vehicles in police custody has increased from three initially reported to five, according to the Police Airport Command. The vehicles are marked AJJ 589EX, KTU 440EZ, AAA 831F, KTU 85FH and EPE 656HF.
Police Airport Command spokesperson, ASP Muhammed Adeola, confirmed that the five vehicles remained in police custody as investigators work to establish who drove them into the restricted area.
Adeola said the police had engaged Air Peace and requested that the airline identify the drivers responsible for taking the vehicles to the sensitive airport location.
However, the airline reportedly told investigators that impostors or saboteurs might have been responsible and promised to conduct an internal investigation to identify those involved.
The police said the vehicles would remain in custody until the airline provides information that can assist investigators in determining who operated them.
The incident occurred during an industrial action by aviation unions over allegations concerning Air Peace’s remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge payable to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The unions had accused the airline of owing significant amounts in the statutory charge and staged industrial action that affected Air Peace operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports.
The disruption left passengers stranded and caused significant interruptions to scheduled flights, prompting the airline to seek ways of managing the impact on its customers.
The runway obstruction has added another dimension to the dispute, with aviation stakeholders expressing concerns about the security implications of vehicles gaining access to restricted airside areas.
Access to airport airside facilities is subject to strict security controls because any unauthorised obstruction can pose serious risks to aircraft operations and passenger safety.
The incident has therefore prompted questions about how the vehicles were able to reach the area and whether adequate security procedures were followed at the airport.
Earlier investigations had confirmed that three Air Peace buses were towed away and placed in police custody after allegedly obstructing aircraft movement. Further investigation subsequently established that the number had risen to five.
The police have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident, with the investigation focused on identifying the individuals who drove the vehicles onto the airside.
For Air Peace, the development comes at a difficult time as the airline continues to deal with the consequences of the industrial dispute and its effect on flight operations.
The airline has reportedly maintained that individuals acting as impostors or saboteurs may have been responsible for the conduct involving the vehicles, making the outcome of its internal investigation important to the police inquiry.
The latest development is expected to keep attention focused on the dispute between the airline and aviation unions, as well as the broader issue of compliance with aviation regulations.
Meanwhile, authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the runway obstruction and determine whether any individuals or organisations should face further sanctions.
The police investigation is ongoing, while the five vehicles remain in custody pending the identification of the drivers involved.
The incident has also highlighted the need for stronger coordination between airport authorities, airlines, security agencies and aviation regulators to prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas and ensure that industrial disputes do not compromise aviation safety.
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