Air Peace has issued a statement to clarify its position regarding the recent arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has stirred considerable media speculation and negative publicity for the airline.
The arrest, carried out by the Department of State Service (DSS) on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as Ajaero was en route to the United Kingdom for official duties, was initially linked to a petition filed by Air Peace. This connection was suggested in various media reports, prompting a swift response from the airline.
In the statement signed by Air Peace spokesperson, Omotade Makinwa, the airline expressed concern over the implications of these reports on its reputation and its relationship with the NLC. Makinwa emphasized that the situation described in the media does not accurately reflect the current dynamics between Air Peace and the NLC.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On May 3, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State Government. Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State Government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the government. This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states,” the statement read.
According to the airline, a formal petition was filed against the NLC to the Nigerian Police in September 2023, following the disruptions. Air Peace claims that despite following up, the police did not take immediate action on the petition.
“Over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition, which has now led to the alleged arrest of the NLC president,” the statement continued.
Makinwa also pointed out that before this arrest, Air Peace and the NLC had reached an amicable resolution regarding their previous disputes, and the airline had withdrawn its petition as part of efforts to foster a positive working relationship.
“Before this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution, and Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship to resume between the two organizations,” Makinwa concluded.
