Fresh details have emerged regarding the recent deportation of Nigerian passengers from Barbados, with investigations indicating that the incident was primarily an immigration matter rather than airline misconduct.
Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA made the clarification in a response to the ongoing brouhaha regarding the allegation made against Air Peace by FIJ, an online platform.
FIJ had reported that on December 21, passengers who bought Air Peace tickets for a Lagos-Kingston, Jamaica, flight were shocked to learn only at the airport that the airline would no longer be flying to Jamaica but to Barbados.
According to the three passengers who spoke with the newspaper, the sudden diversion was announced at the check-in point without prior notice, with refunds denied, while those who protested were pressured to board the aircraft or risk losing their money. What followed was a trail of dumping, detention, deportation and significant financial loss.
Reacting to the allegations, Air Peace Limited strongly refuted the claims.
In a statement, the airline described the report as “misleading and inaccurate,” insisting that all tickets were sold in line with international airline sales practices and aviation regulations. Air Peace stressed that it did not engage in deceptive sales or mislead passengers about their travel arrangements.
According to the airline, routine pre-departure checks at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos revealed that some passengers lacked the required transit visas to travel via Antigua to destinations such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. In compliance with regulatory requirements, Air Peace said it immediately offered full refunds to the affected travelers.
While some passengers accepted refunds, others voluntarily requested to be rerouted through Barbados, citing that Nigerian passport holders do not require transit visas to enter Barbados en route to Jamaica and other destinations. Air Peace emphasized that the rerouting was facilitated solely at the request of these passengers.
The airline maintained that it acted transparently and responsibly throughout the process, reiterating its commitment to international aviation standards and passenger welfare.
In a post on X on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Achimugu confirmed that the passengers had been informed by Air Peace that the flight was bound for Barbados, a country that allows Nigerians visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Contrary to earlier speculation, the airline did not promise to transport them to Jamaica. Several passengers admitted they had agreed to travel to Barbados with plans to continue their journey to other destinations, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
“On arrival in Barbados, authorities reportedly profiled the Nigerian travelers and concluded that many were attempting to migrate illegally. As a result, they were detained and subsequently deported to Nigeria. Some passengers attempted to prove the legitimacy of their travel by purchasing onward tickets, but this did not sway immigration officials.
“Following their deportation, a number of passengers requested that Air Peace fly them back to Barbados using their unused return tickets. Others allegedly asked the airline to issue “dummy” tickets to create the impression they intended to return to Nigeria. The airline declined, insisting it would not issue fake documentation.
“Investigators noted that while Barbados remains visa-free for Nigerians, the motives of some passengers — by their own admission — were not acceptable to local authorities. Officials stressed that Air Peace was not responsible for the deportations, which stemmed from immigration enforcement.
“An official Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is being sent to the airline for further clarification beyond its press release, and authorities plan to speak with additional passengers to ensure a full understanding of the case. While acknowledging that some innocent travelers may have been caught up in the incident, investigators assured that the matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion.
