The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that three buses belonging to Air Peace are in its custody following allegations that the vehicles obstructed the runway at the Lagos airport during Tuesday’s industrial action by aviation unions.

The spokesperson for the Police Airport Command, ASP Muhammed Adeola, confirmed to our correspondent that the three buses had been taken into police custody.

Adeola said investigations were underway to identify the drivers who allegedly drove the buses onto the runway, resulting in the obstruction of aircraft movement.

He said, “I just spoke with the international division now, and they confirmed that the buses are in our custody because they blocked the runway and that caused disruptions, and the vehicles were towed and brought to our office.

“We have commenced investigations, and that is currently ongoing, and as we speak, no arrest has been made. We’re on it. As I mentioned, investigations are ongoing to identify who took those buses to obstruct the airside.

“You know the airline might not just want to give the names of the persons who drove the buses, but now that the buses are with us, through that we will get to the root of the matter, and those who drove the buses will be unravelled.”

The industrial action, which halted Air Peace’s operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports, disrupted flight schedules and left passengers stranded as they sought alternative means of transportation.

The industrial action was primarily targeted at Air Peace following allegations by the unions that the airline was the largest debtor to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority over the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge.

The unions had earlier issued three warnings, threatening to picket airlines accused of failing to remit the statutory five per cent TSC to the NCAA.

They also alleged that some domestic airlines were restricting workers’ freedom to join trade unions, claiming that employees were reluctant to express interest in union membership for fear of discrimination or victimisation.

The unions, however, said the industrial action was a measure of last resort, noting that they had allowed the affected airlines several weeks to address the issues and resolve their grievances.