Nigeria Police Force, Airport Command, says it will arraign two passengers over alleged unruly conduct aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos.
The suspects, identified as Enaruna Prince Aghama, 51, and Tony Ajayi, 43, are to be charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Adeola, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Adeola said the suspects were 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 him, preliminary investigations revealed that at about 7:44 p.m. on July 9, the suspects allegedly lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft while it was in flight.
He said the action activated the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic among passengers and members of the cabin crew.
The police spokesman added that further investigations showed the suspects were also in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to enforce safety regulations.
He said the conduct disrupted the orderly operation of the flight.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the alleged actions of the suspects, describing any conduct capable of compromising aviation safety as unacceptable.
She reiterated the command’s commitment to enforcing aviation security laws and protecting the lives of passengers, crew members and other airport users in line with relevant aviation regulations and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) By-Laws.
Olufunke urged air travellers to comply with lawful directives issued by airline operators and aviation personnel, stressing that discipline and orderly conduct were essential to ensuring safe air travel.
She said the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.
