Arik Air Shareholders Demand Clarity on Aircraft Dismantling

Shareholders of Arik Air Ltd. have formally requested Receiver Manager Oluseye Opasanya to clarify the dismantling of a Boeing 737-700 at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. In a letter dated August 17, 2026, signed by major shareholder Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, they expressed concerns about the aircraft's identity, ownership, and security status.

This incident marks the second reported dismantling of an Arik aircraft amid ongoing disputes regarding the airline's debts and assets under receivership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The shareholders demanded details about the authority and purpose of the dismantling and whether it relates to alleged debts owed to Access Bank.

They noted that previous requests for documentation regarding these debts had not been satisfactorily addressed. The letter also indicated that the matter is under criminal investigation by a government agency.

The shareholders emphasized that their letter should not be interpreted as consent for any transactions involving Arik's assets and is without prejudice to ongoing legal proceedings before the Federal High Court.