POLICE IMPOUND FIVE AIR PEACE VEHICLES OVER RUNWAY BLOCKADE

The Nigeria Police Force has impounded five vehicles belonging to Air Peace following an incident involving the alleged obstruction of aircraft movement at the Lagos airport.

The vehicles were reportedly positioned on the airside of the airport during an industrial action by aviation unions, disrupting normal airport operations.

The police initially took three Air Peace buses into custody, but further investigations showed that the number of vehicles impounded had increased to five.

The Airport Command spokesperson, Muhammed Adeola, confirmed that the five vehicles were in police custody and said investigations were ongoing to identify the individuals who drove them to the restricted area.

Adeola said the police had contacted Air Peace and requested that the airline provide the drivers responsible for operating the vehicles.

However, the airline reportedly told investigators that impostors or saboteurs might have been responsible for the incident and promised to conduct its own investigation.

The police said the vehicles would remain in custody until the airline provides information that could help identify those involved.

The incident occurred amid an industrial dispute between aviation unions and Air Peace over the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge payable to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The industrial action disrupted Air Peace operations at Lagos and Abuja airports and affected passengers who had to seek alternative travel arrangements.

The police said investigations would continue to establish what happened and determine responsibility for the alleged obstruction of airport operations.