Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has called for an investigation into what he described as a pattern of systemic extortion and poor customer service by Nigerian airlines, particularly citing recent experiences with Air Peace. The senator submitted a formal petition to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, requesting an urgent probe into the operations of some domestic carriers at the nation’s airports.
Allegations of Passenger Extortion and Policy Abuse
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the former Edo State governor recounted a series of troubling incidents that, according to him, reflect a wider culture of impunity and neglect within the aviation sector. Oshiomhole alleged that airline staff deliberately barred passengers who had purchased tickets in advance—often at lower rates—only to resell the same seats at inflated prices to last-minute buyers.
He detailed a personal ordeal in which he arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos for a 6:50 p.m. flight with Air Peace, reaching the terminal at 6:10 p.m. Despite meeting the airline’s 30-minute check-in requirement and having already checked in his luggage, he was denied a boarding pass.
“What I saw was not just poor service; it was blatant manipulation,” Oshiomhole said. “Others arrived after me and were allowed to board, yet I was turned back despite having a business class ticket.”
He also described a similar experience the following morning. Having checked in online at 9:00 p.m. the previous evening, he arrived at the airport by 6:00 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. flight—well within standard timelines. Yet again, he was denied boarding.
“They told me the gate had closed, even though people were still being allowed in. It became clear to me that the real issue wasn’t policy enforcement—it was an extortion racket,” he added.
Passengers Allegedly Targeted for On-the-Spot Ticket Sales
Oshiomhole shared accounts of other passengers who had faced similar challenges. In one case, a woman who had purchased her ticket online for ₦146,000 was told she was late, even though she arrived before 6:00 a.m. She was then offered a new ticket on the spot for ₦250,000.
“People were being denied boarding while staff sold those same seats at premium prices to desperate travelers. That is not policy enforcement—it’s a scheme to make extra profit at the expense of innocent Nigerians,” Oshiomhole stated.
He supported his claims with documentary evidence and video footage, which he said had already been forwarded to Minister Keyamo. The minister, according to Oshiomhole, has pledged to investigate the matter.
Rejection of Disruption Allegations
Responding to a statement by Air Peace accusing him of disrupting airport operations after allegedly missing a flight, Oshiomhole denied any unruly behavior. The airline had claimed that he arrived late for Flight P47120, scheduled to depart at 6:30 a.m., and that he caused a scene when he was not allowed to board.
Oshiomhole dismissed the accusation as a smear attempt, attributing the narrative to his refusal to accept preferential treatment. “I made it clear to the airline staff that I did not want special consideration,” he said. “They offered to ‘sort me out’ once they recognized me, but I declined. I wanted to be treated like every other passenger.”
According to him, the situation escalated only after a crowd of stranded passengers—many of whom included women with infants—began protesting their treatment.
Call to End VIP Culture and Regulatory Failure
Senator Oshiomhole criticized what he described as a “VIP culture of impunity,” where well-connected individuals are quietly assisted while ordinary citizens are abandoned. He said this practice erodes public trust and fosters resentment.
“The real problem is that when someone like me speaks up, they call it troublemaking. But what about the woman with a six-month-old baby who was refused boarding? What was her crime?” he asked.
He also raised concerns over the role of regulatory bodies in failing to protect consumer rights. “You can’t allow airlines to turn airports into black markets. If agencies tasked with oversight are not acting, they are complicit,” he asserted.
Looking Ahead: Demand for Accountability
In his concluding remarks, Oshiomhole affirmed that his actions were driven by a commitment to justice and systemic reform, not personal inconvenience. “If speaking out means I am seen as a troublemaker, then I will gladly wear that badge—because silence is complicity,” he said.
The senator expressed hope that his petition would lead to meaningful changes in airline operations and ensure fair treatment of all Nigerian passengers, regardless of status or influence.
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