The Nigeria Police have impounded five vehicles belonging to Air Peace for investigation following an incident that allegedly disrupted aircraft movement at the Lagos airport.
The vehicles, marked AJJ 589EX, KTU 440EZ, AAA 831F, KTU 85FH and EPE 656HF, are currently in police custody.
The development follows reports that some individuals suspected to be Air Peace staff positioned the vehicles on the airside of the Lagos airport, creating an obstruction capable of disrupting airport operations.
The police initially confirmed that three Air Peace buses had been towed into custody after they were found parked in a manner that could interfere with aircraft movement. However, further investigation revealed that the number had risen to five.
The spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police, Muhammed Adeola, confirmed that the five vehicles were being held as part of an ongoing investigation.
According to Adeola, the police have asked Air Peace to produce the drivers who allegedly took the vehicles into the restricted area. The airline, however, reportedly suggested that impostors or saboteurs could have been responsible and promised to conduct an internal investigation.
The police said the vehicles would remain in custody until the airline identifies and produces the individuals responsible for operating them.
The incident occurred amid an industrial dispute involving aviation unions and Air Peace over the airline’s alleged failure to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The industrial action disrupted Air Peace operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports, leaving passengers stranded and forcing many to seek alternative transportation.
The aviation unions had previously issued several warnings to airlines over the alleged non-remittance of the charge, describing the eventual industrial action as a measure taken after repeated efforts to resolve the dispute.
