Aviation Minister Orders Probe, Silences Agencies Over Oshiomhole’s Lagos Airport Incident

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed aviation agencies under his ministry to refrain from making public comments or taking sides following a viral incident involving former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The minister confirmed that a formal investigation is underway and has urged all parties to remain calm while the facts are gathered.

The controversy erupted after Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate, was captured on video reportedly blocking the entrance to the Zulu Terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) on Wednesday. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the senator arrived late for his 6:30 a.m. Air Peace flight to Abuja and allegedly disrupted operations after being denied boarding.

In a statement on Friday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Keyamo said he had been in contact with both Oshiomhole and Air Peace representatives since the day of the incident. He urged restraint and emphasised the importance of allowing due process. “I directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hear all sides’ before reaching judgment,” Keyamo wrote.

He further appealed to both the airline and the senator to stop trading public accusations and counteraccusations, stating that aviation authorities would gather all available evidence and report back to his office for a resolution that could guide future conduct in similar scenarios.

Oshiomhole, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja the same day as the incident, claimed he had checked in online for the flight and arrived at the terminal shortly after 6:00 a.m. He expressed frustration that Air Peace staff prevented him from boarding, despite having no luggage and showing proof of his check-in. He also accused the airline of racketeering and unethical treatment of passengers.

Air Peace responded with a strongly worded statement the following day, calling the senator’s version of events “deliberate falsehood” and accusing him of assaulting staff and inciting a disturbance after missing his flight. The airline challenged Oshiomhole to provide evidence to support his claims, particularly regarding extortion of passengers.

Despite reports that the senator’s conduct may have breached several aviation regulations, including provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Act and Nigeria’s Civil Aviation and anti-terrorism laws, sources confirmed that aviation authorities have been instructed not to issue any public statements or sanctions pending the outcome of the investigation.