Chinedu Eze
Police at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International airport (MMA2), Lagos on Monday afternoon arrested Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, for slapping a security operative of Dana Air.
THISDAY learnt that Iyke, who was late for the Lagos-Abuja 12:25 pm flight, wanted to rush into the aircraft but was stopped by Dana Air security staff who insisted on frisking him at the boarding gate.
Iyke was alleged to have slapped the security staff and pushed him away.
According to eyewitness account, the security official’s insistence on searching Iyke infuriated him and in reaction, the actor slapped and pushed him away “for wasting his time.”He was immediately stopped by the security personnel attached to the airline and handed over to the police.
Dana Air Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, who confirmed the incident, said Iyke was, however, released, after he apologised to the airline employee.
“It is true that Jim Iyke was arrested but he later apologised which prompted the police to release him. What actually happened was that when he was rushing to meet the flight because he was obviously late, the security staff at the boarding gate wanted to frisk him, but instead of waiting to be searched, Iyke slapped him and pushed him out of his way.
“Iyke was immediately stopped by Dana Air security personnel who handed him over to the police. But he later apologised and he was released by the police,” Ezenwa said.
However, according to Ezenwa, Jim Iyke eventually missed the flight which took off shortly after the incident.
The Public Relations Officer, Airport Command, Alabi Joseph, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, also confirmed the incident, saying that Iyke was released after he tendered an apology.
Mr. Iyke could however not be reached for his reaction.
