Police to Arraign Two Passengers for Smoking, Disrupting Air Peace Flight

The Airport Police Command in Lagos has concluded arrangements to arraign two passengers accused of smoking and causing a disturbance aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos.

The police said the suspects, identified as 51-year-old Enaruna Prince Aghama and 43-year-old Tony Ajayi, would be charged with unruly conduct and behaviour likely to cause a breach of peace after investigations are concluded.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Airport Police Command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, the suspects were said to have been handed over to the International Airport Police Division by Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations showed that the incident occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on July 9 while the aircraft was en route from South Africa to Lagos.

The police said the two passengers allegedly lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft, triggering the plane’s smoke detection and emergency alarm systems.

The development reportedly caused panic among passengers and members of the cabin crew.

Investigators also found that the suspects were allegedly in possession of alcoholic beverages and became verbally aggressive and uncooperative when cabin crew members attempted to enforce safety regulations and calm the situation, further disrupting the flight.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the suspects’ conduct, describing any action capable of endangering aviation safety or disrupting flight operations as unacceptable.

She said, “Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable.”

Olufunke reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing aviation security laws and protecting passengers, crew members and other airport users in line with existing aviation regulations and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) By-Laws.

She also urged travellers to obey lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation personnel.

“Maintaining discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft is a shared responsibility essential to safe air travel,” the police commissioner said.

The Airport Police Command said the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.