Unions demand release of NSA probe report on Air Peace runway blockage

Six major aviation unions in Nigeria have jointly called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to conclude and publicly release its findings regarding the August 11, 2026, taxiway blockage incident at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, involving Air Peace.

The unions comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) warned that national security matters must not be swept under the carpet, asserting that no operator should be treated as untouchable.

The demand was contained in a joint statement titled “Playing Game With National Security In The Aviation Sector,” presented at a press conference held at the NUATE FAAN Branch Secretariat at MMA.

Comrade Igene PJA (General Secretary, NUATE), Comrade Aliu Mohammed (General Secretary, AUPCTRE), Comrade Frances Akinjole (General Secretary, ATSSSAN), Comrade Umoh Ofonime (Deputy General Secretary, NAAPE), and Comrade Ocheme Aba (Deputy Secretary General, ANAP) jointly signed the statement.

The union leaders appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, the NSA, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and the general public to step in immediately.

“We will continue to pursue this matter through all lawful means, engagement, petition, and, if necessary, industrial action until safety, security, and statutory funding in aviation are guaranteed,” the unions stated.

Recalling the genesis of the crisis, the unions explained that on August 11, 2026, they carried out a peaceful industrial action against Air Peace over two primary issues: the airline’s refusal to allow its workforce to join trade unions, violating constitutional and labour provisions and unremitted passenger funds, specifically the statutory Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC).

The unions said the picketing of Air Peace was the first phase of a broader action targeting members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) in default of these statutory obligations. However, the Minister of Aviation’s intervention led to the suspension of the industrial action.

In response to the picketing, Air Peace deployed five of its branded buses to block the aircraft manoeuvring area and taxiway at Murtala Muhammed Airport in a “brazen commando-like manner.”

The unions condemned the act as a serious threat to aircraft movement, a breach of international aviation safety regulations, and a grave risk to national security.

Following the events, Air Peace reported the unions to the Inspector General of Police and filed a suit at the National Industrial Court. Concurrently, the Nigeria Police Force Airports Command and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) launched separate investigations.

The union leadership affirmed that they have been cooperating fully with all investigating authorities, believing the process would yield a positive outcome to strengthen safety regulations and labour relations.

However, they expressed deep frustration over recent developments involving the NSA’s office.

Wole Shadare