Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Airport Police Command in Lagos has confirmed that two passengers will be arraigned for allegedly smoking and engaging in unruly conduct aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, an incident that triggered the aircraft's emergency smoke alarm and caused widespread panic among passengers and crew members. The suspects, identified as Enaruna Prince Aghama, 51, and Tony Ajayi, 43, were handed over to the International Airport Police Division by Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel immediately after the flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on Thursday evening, 9 July 2026.
According to a statement issued on Friday, 10 July 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Adeola, the incident occurred at approximately 7:44 p.m. while the Air Peace aircraft was en route from South Africa to Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft, an action that activated the aircraft's smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic and anxiety among passengers and cabin crew. The airline's safety regulations explicitly prohibit smoking on board, and the activation of the smoke alarm prompted an immediate response from the crew, who worked to calm passengers and ensure the safety of the flight.
The police further disclosed that the suspects were found to be in possession of an alcoholic beverage and became uncooperative when cabin crew members attempted to enforce safety procedures. The statement read: “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.” The suspects' alleged refusal to comply with the crew's directives compounded the disruption, turning a serious safety breach into a more volatile situation at 19,000 feet.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the suspects' alleged conduct, describing any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft as unacceptable. “The Airport Police 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, in line with the provisions of the relevant aviation regulations and the FAAN By-Laws,” she stated.
The commissioner urged members of the travelling public to obey all lawful directives issued by airline operators and aviation personnel, stressing that maintaining discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft is a shared responsibility essential to safe air travel. “Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable,” Olufunke reiterated, warning that the command would not tolerate behaviour that endangers the lives of passengers and crew.
The police have confirmed that the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction once investigations are concluded. The incident has sparked widespread concern over passenger conduct on flights, with many questioning how individuals could disregard such basic safety protocols in an enclosed environment. Aviation experts have warned that smoking on aircraft is not only a violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations but also a serious fire hazard that could have catastrophic consequences.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a stark reminder that safety aboard aircraft is non-negotiable, and that reckless behaviour will be met with the full force of the law. The police have assured the public that justice will be served, and that the suspects will face the consequences of their alleged actions. For the passengers who endured the terrifying moments of the smoke alarm sounding mid-flight, the incident is a chilling reminder of how one individual's reckless decision can endanger the lives of everyone on board.
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