The aviation sector may be heading for another disruption as the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria warned that it could be forced to suspend air operations nationwide if the police detain its officials and members for an extended period.

The union issued the warning in a statement on Tuesday, 24 hours after it was reported that Nigerian carrier Air Peace had petitioned the police over a picketing action staged against the airline on August 11.

In the statement signed by the union’s Secretary, Frances Akinjole, ATSSSAN confirmed that it had received an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja over complaints allegedly filed by Air Peace concerning the picketing exercise carried out by aviation workers.

ATSSSAN said the police invitation was linked to allegations of conspiracy, threats of violence, incitement to public disorder, assault occasioning harm, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

He said the union was scheduled to appear before the police at 11am on September 2, 2026, in Abuja. Rather than disregard the invitation, Akinjole said ATSSSAN had resolved to honour it, with a “sizable number” of its officers and members accompanying its representatives.

The union said the decision was aimed at ensuring that its account of the events surrounding the August 11 picketing was properly presented to the police.

“We have decided to honour the invitation together with a sizable number of our officers and members, principally in order to enable us to put the occurrence in the correct perspective,” the union said.

ATSSSAN said it was prepared to resist what it described as an attempt to intimidate the union, insisting that its members would not allow the circumstances surrounding the picketing to be presented without their side of the story.

The union also issued a strong warning that continued operations at airports nationwide could become uncertain if its officials were detained by the police beyond what it considered a reasonable period.

“However, if we are held by the police for a time longer than necessary, we may no longer be able to guarantee continuation of air operations in the various airports across the country immediately,” ATSSSAN warned.

The development has renewed attention on the August 11 industrial action, during which aviation unions picketed Air Peace over a dispute that has now shifted from the workplace and airport environment to police authorities.

Efforts to obtain Air Peace’s reaction were unsuccessful, as the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his phone seeking clarification.