Senate exonerates Air Peace, blasts NSIB over drug allegations

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday exonerated Air Peace from any wrongdoing in the July 13 runway overrun at Port Harcourt International Airport, while faulting the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for inconsistent findings related to drug and alcohol use by the airline’s crew.

The decision followed an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Aviation, amid concerns that the NSIB’s preliminary report—which initially suggested multiple Air Peace crew members tested positive for alcohol and cannabis before narrowing the claim to two personnel—could harm Nigeria’s aviation reputation internationally.

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Committee Chairman, noted that the NSIB report contained discrepancies that could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s air safety standards if left unaddressed.

“Most of these allegations are not true. The report was disjointed and uncoordinated. Aviation is an area closely monitored by ICAO and other international bodies; wrongly accusing personnel can have serious consequences,” Buhari said.

The Senate review confirmed that the Air Peace aircraft involved in the incident sustained no damage and safely returned to Lagos the same day. Buhari praised Air Peace and other domestic carriers for maintaining rigorous internal safety checks and random drug testing, emphasizing the importance of supporting, rather than undermining, local airlines.

“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own. We must encourage them, not tarnish their reputation with unverified claims. Importantly, no lives were lost, and the aircraft was not damaged,” he added.

Air Peace Chairman and CEO Allen Onyema, who testified before the committee, criticized the NSIB’s handling of the situation as misleading and harmful to the airline’s international reputation. He described the Port Harcourt incident as a result of human error, not mechanical failure.

“The aircraft had no damage and returned to Lagos the same day. The pilot, with nearly 40 years of experience, simply had a bad day,” Onyema said.

He also highlighted Air Peace’s strict safety culture, recalling an instance when he grounded eight aircraft in a single day after detecting maintenance errors, underscoring the airline’s commitment to transparency and safety.

The closed-door hearing continued late into the evening, with lawmakers expected to present a final report to the full Senate soon. The report is anticipated to recommend better coordination among aviation regulators and more transparent communication following incidents.

The Senate’s intervention comes after weeks of public controversy following the NSIB’s claims that a co-pilot and cabin crew member tested positive for alcohol and THC—allegations both individuals have publicly denied.