The Airport Police Command, Lagos, has said it will arraign two passengers for allegedly smoking and engaging in unruly conduct aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos.
The incident reportedly triggered the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic and anxiety among passengers and cabin crew.
The suspects were identified as Enaruna Prince Aghama, 51, and Tony Ajayi, 43.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Airport Police Command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, the command said the suspects were handed over to the International Airport Police Division by Aviation Security officials after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
According to the police, preliminary investigation showed that the incident occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on July 9, 2026, 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.
The command said further investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly in possession of an alcoholic beverage during the flight.
It added that the suspects became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to calm the situation and enforce established safety procedures.
The police said their conduct further disrupted the orderly operation of the flight.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, described the alleged conduct of the passengers as unacceptable.
“Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable,” she said.
Olufunke reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing aviation security laws and protecting the lives of passengers, crew members and other airport users.
She also urged members of the travelling public to obey lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation personnel.
According to her, discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft are essential to safe air travel.
The police said the suspects would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of investigations.
