Two passengers are set to be arraigned for allegedly smoking aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, triggering the aircraft’s smoke detection system and disrupting the flight.
The suspects, identified as Enaruna Aghama, 51, and Tony Ajayi, 43, 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, Lagos, for further investigation.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on July 9, 2026, while the aircraft was en route to Lagos.
Investigators alleged that the duo lit cigarettes inside the cabin, activating the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm systems and causing panic among passengers and cabin crew.
The suspects were also allegedly found with an alcoholic beverage and became uncooperative and verbally abusive when cabin crew members attempted to stop them and enforce the airline’s safety procedures.
Police said their actions disrupted the flight and posed a potential risk to aviation safety.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Mohammed Adeola, said the suspects would be arraigned before a court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commenting on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the alleged conduct, describing any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting flight operations as unacceptable.
She reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing aviation security laws and protecting passengers, crew members and other airport users in line with relevant aviation regulations and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by-laws.
Olufunke also urged travellers to comply with lawful directives issued by airline operators and aviation personnel, stressing that discipline, cooperation and orderly conduct on board aircraft are essential to ensuring safe and secure air travel.