AWC AVIATION DESK

…Calls for Investigation

July, 2026 – Umueri, Anambra State – Registered airport taxi operators at the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, have raised concerns over the alleged conduct of a member of staff of Air Peace, claiming that his actions have interfered with their legitimate transport operations within the airport.

The complaints, contained in documents made available to our correspondent, was accompanied by video recordings which the operators claim were taken within the airport environment, allege that the staff, Mr. Chigozia Hypolite Okoye, identified by the complainants as a Security Officer of Air Peace’s Anambra Station, has on several occasions engaged in activities inconsistent with established airport operational procedures.

Taxi Operators Speak Under Anonymity

In separate interviews with African Writers Centre (AWC), several airport taxi operators, who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisals or victimization, corroborated the concerns contained in the petition.

The operators alleged that the Air Peace staff member has repeatedly interfered with the activities of licensed airport taxi operators by allegedly approaching, escorting or diverting arriving passengers away from the designated airport taxi system.

According to the operators, such conduct, undermines the orderly operation of airport transportation services, creates unnecessary friction among service providers and negatively affects the livelihoods of registered airport taxi operators.

One operator told AWC:

“We have worked within the airport transport system for years under laid-down rules. We believe everyone operating within the airport should respect those procedures. What has been happening is not healthy for the airport environment.”

Another operator said the concerns had been raised internally on several occasions but alleged that the situation had persisted.

Summary of Allegations

According to the petition, the complainants allege that Mr. Chigozia has been involved in:

• Allegedly intercepting or escorting passengers away from designated airport taxi services.
• Allegedly interfering with the operations of licensed airport taxi operators.
• Actions which the complainants claim have resulted in disruption of airport transport services and financial losses to registered taxi operators.

The petition further alleges that previous complaints were made to the former Air Peace Station Manager, Mr. Chuks Igwe, as well as the Managing Director of the airport, Mr. Martins Emeka Nwafor, but the operators claim they did not receive the intervention they expected. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Alleged Incidents Captured on Video

The complainants further state that video recordings in their possession allegedly show Mr. Okoye engaging in activities which they believe warrant investigation.

According to the petition, the videos allegedly show him:

• Carrying passenger luggage within the arrival area.
• Escorting passengers away from the designated taxi loading point.
• Allegedly transporting a passenger in a private vehicle identified by the complainants as bearing an Anambra registration number (withheld)
• Engaging in interactions involving financial transactions with passengers.
• Allegedly communicating personal bank account details to a passenger at the boarding hall during an incident said to have occurred on 21 June 2026.

The complainants also allege that these activities were carried out during official working hours and amounted to a breach of established airport operational protocols.

It should be noted that these allegations remain unproven and have not been confirmed by any regulatory authority.

Call for Independent Investigation

The taxi operators are calling on the management of Air Peace, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.

They said such an investigation would help establish the facts, determine whether any airport operational or ethical guidelines were breached, and restore confidence among airport service providers.

Air Peace’s Reputation

Industry stakeholders continue to regard Air Peace, under the leadership of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, as one of Nigeria’s foremost airlines with a strong reputation for professionalism, safety and expansion of domestic and international operations.

The complainants stressed that their concerns are directed at the alleged conduct of an individual staff member and should not be construed as a reflection of the airline as a whole. They appealed to the airline’s management to review the issues raised in order to safeguard the company’s reputation and reinforce compliance with operational standards at the Umueri station.

Right of Response

As of the time of filing this report, none of the allegations has been established by any competent authority. Also, attempts to reach the Air Peace staff on his mobile phone number has so proved abortive.

No official statement has been issued by Air Peace, the individuals named in the petition, FAAN, or the NCAA regarding the allegations.