Senate Probes Drunk Air Peace Pilots After NSIB Bombshell

by Deborah Oladapo

The Nigerian Senate has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the country’s aviation sector following disturbing revelations from a preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on an Air Peace runway incident in Port Harcourt.

The NSIB’s findings, released weeks after the July 13, 2025, runway excursion, revealed that both the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Peace flight tested positive for alcohol and traces of cannabis. According to the report, toxicological tests indicated that one crew member had alcohol in his system while another tested positive for the psychoactive compound found in Indian hemp.

The revelations sparked widespread alarm among lawmakers, prompting a debate in the Red Chamber last Tuesday. The Senate, describing the incident as a “wake-up call” for regulators, said it exposed deep-rooted safety, infrastructure, and oversight deficiencies within Nigeria’s aviation system.

In a motion sponsored by the Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, lawmakers unanimously resolved to mandate the committee to conduct a six-week probe into the state of the aviation industry. The probe will engage key agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the NSIB, to address gaps in safety enforcement and infrastructure management.

Senator Buhari stressed that while no fatalities were recorded in the Air Peace incident, the NSIB report underscored “critical lapses in safety standards, runway maintenance, and pilot decision-making.” He warned that continued negligence could erode public confidence in air travel and endanger lives.

Former Abia State governor and ex-airline operator, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, further stirred debate by alleging that some Nigerian pilots operate flights under the influence of drugs. “Some of them smoke Indian hemp like cigarettes,” Kalu claimed, calling for stricter drug and health screening for flight crews.

Responding to the concerns, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority dismissed Kalu’s claims, affirming that Nigeria’s aviation safety meets international standards. In a statement signed by Director-General Captain Chris Najomo, the NCAA said all licensed pilots undergo mandatory medical examinations and random drug tests before being cleared to operate.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority maintains a rigorous and internationally recognized system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilots operating in Nigeria,” Najomo said. He noted that the country’s oversight framework aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, citing the agency’s strong ratings in the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

The Senate has directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and FAAN to immediately implement the NSIB’s recommendations, including rehabilitating damaged runways, upgrading airfield lighting, and enhancing navigational aids starting with Port Harcourt International Airport.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, described the motion as “timely and necessary,” adding that aviation safety “cannot be compromised under any circumstance.” He urged the Aviation Committee to conduct a thorough review that would restore safety, sanity, and public confidence in Nigeria’s airspace.