2 in trouble for reportedly smoking on Air Peace flight while returning from South Africa - Platinum Post News
The Lagos Airport Police Command has concluded plans to arraign two passengers accused of smoking onboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, an incident that allegedly triggered the aircraft’s emergency smoke alarm and caused panic among passengers and crew. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, […]
The Lagos Airport Police Command has concluded plans to arraign two passengers accused of smoking onboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, an incident that allegedly triggered the aircraft’s emergency smoke alarm and caused panic among passengers and crew. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Adeola, identifying the suspects as 51-year-old Enauna Aghama and 43-year-old Tonyi Ajayi. According to the police, Aviation Security personnel handed the two men over to officers at the International Airport Police Division after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, for investigation. Preliminary findings indicated that the incident occurred at about 7:44 p. m. on Thursday while the aircraft was en route to Lagos. “Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 1944hrs on 9th July, 2026, while aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, the suspects lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft, an action which activated the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic and anxiety among passengers and cabin crew,” the statement read. Police further stated that investigators found the suspects were in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly refused to cooperate with cabin crew members who attempted to enforce safety regulations. The statement added that the pair “became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to de-escalate the situation and enforce established safety regulations, thereby further disrupting the orderly conduct of the flight. ”Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the alleged actions of the passengers, describing them as a threat to aviation safety. She said, “Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable. ”Olufunke added that the command “remains committed to the strict enforcement of aviation security laws and the protection of the lives of passengers, crew members, and all airport users. ”She also appealed to air travellers to comply with lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation officials, stressing that “maintaining discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft is a shared responsibility essential to safe air travel. ”The police said the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.