The Zulu Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos was abruptly shut down on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, after Senator Adams Oshiomhole reportedly ordered the closure following his failure to board a scheduled flight to Abuja due to arriving late.
The incident, which caused significant disruption, left many passengers stranded and unable to proceed with their travel plans.
According to SaharaReporters, Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and current senator, arrived at the airport after the scheduled departure time for his Air Peace flight to Abuja. Upon learning that the flight had already been closed and boarding completed, he allegedly expressed dissatisfaction and ordered the terminal to be shut down.
READ ALSO: #GovObaseki #Shaibu #Oshiomhole – #DonPedroObaseki
Eyewitnesses at the terminal described a scene of confusion and frustration as airport officials complied with the directive. Passengers who were waiting to board other flights or complete check-in procedures were reportedly forced to leave the terminal or halted mid-process. No official reason was provided to the affected travelers at the time.
An airport source who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity stated that the senator arrived well after the flight had been closed. Despite this, he insisted that the flight be delayed or reopened for him, a request airline staff declined due to operational constraints and existing protocols.
When this demand was not met, the source alleged, Oshiomhole used his influence to demand that the terminal be closed entirely. The decision disrupted operations and left other passengers and airline personnel in a state of uncertainty.
The Zulu Terminal, managed by a private aviation handling company, typically services domestic flights and operates separately from the main terminal complex. While minor disruptions are not unusual in Nigerian aviation hubs, the nature and source of Tuesday’s shutdown drew particular attention due to the involvement of a high-ranking government official.
Passengers caught in the disruption expressed anger over what they described as an abuse of power. Some travelers missed important appointments, while others faced delays in connecting flights. Videos shared on social media appeared to show agitated passengers demanding explanations from staff and attempting to film the unfolding events.
Neither Senator Oshiomhole nor his media aides have issued an official statement regarding the incident. Efforts by reporters to reach him for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of publication.
Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have also not publicly addressed the shutdown, and it remains unclear whether any disciplinary or corrective actions will be taken.
This development has renewed public debate on the issue of political privilege and the misuse of public influence in Nigeria. Critics argue that such actions undermine the rule of law and accountability, especially when ordinary citizens are forced to suffer the consequences of decisions made by public figures for personal reasons.
The aviation sector, already under scrutiny for delays, poor customer service, and regulatory issues, now faces fresh questions about how incidents involving influential individuals are managed and whether appropriate checks exist to prevent abuses of authority at critical national infrastructure points such as airports.
As of Wednesday morning, operations at the Zulu Terminal were reported to have resumed, but with lingering confusion among passengers and concerns about whether similar incidents might occur again. Observers are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and clear guidelines on how public officials interact with civil aviation services.
