Passengers on Arik Air were stranded Wednesday at different airports across the country as Aviation unions halted operations of the airline over an alleged debt of N12.5 billion owed the  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The shutdown was effected after year-long negotiations failed. But Arik claims the debt is unsubstantiated.

Arik Air has confirmed the development. In a press statement issued by its management, the airline said the action by the workers’ union is connected with the long-standing and unsubstantiated claim by FAAN of high indebtedness to the agency which is now before a Federal High Court in Lagos at the instance of FAAN.

Arik said this is not the first time that FAAN workers’ unions would be taking the laws into their hands by disrupting its operations. The statement said that the airline is compelled to suspend all domestic operations for today, and this will remain in force until the unfortunate situation is resolved.