The Senate has exonerated Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, of allegations of negligence and pilot intoxication in relation to the July 13, 2024 runway overrun incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, describing the earlier investigation report as inconsistent and poorly coordinated.
The resolution followed a one-day investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Aviation, which reviewed findings from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Speaking after the session, Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, faulted the NSIB’s report, noting that its contents contained “glaring contradictions” that could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s aviation oversight systems.
“You can see that, unfortunately, most of those allegations are not true. The report was disjointed and not coordinated.
“You don’t accuse people wrongly, especially in aviation, where the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and global regulators monitor our activities closely, ” he said.
He revealed that the Bureau initially alleged drug use among several Air Peace crew members, only to later amend the claim to two individuals.
According to him, such inconsistencies could damage Nigeria’s reputation in the international aviation community if not addressed.
Senator Buhari commended Air Peace and other local carriers for maintaining strong internal safety systems, including routine pilot drug tests and adherence to international operational standards.
“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own. We must protect Nigerian carriers, not destroy their credibility with unverified claims
“The important thing is that no life was lost, and the aircraft suffered no damage. It was later towed and safely flown back to Lagos, ” he said.
The lawmaker added that the Senate would soon release a formal report recommending reforms to improve coordination and accuracy in aviation investigations.
He clarified that the probe was not a witch-hunt but a step toward strengthening air safety.
Buhari also disclosed that lawmakers were considering a bill to mandate federal officials and agencies to patronize Nigerian airlines for official travel, in order to promote the growth of the domestic aviation industry.
Appearing before the committee, Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, defended the airline’s record, describing the NSIB’s handling of the incident as “unfair and misleading.”
“I initially did not plan to attend this session, but I decided to come because the Senate represents the people, and they have every right to demand answers about safety.
“However, I must correct certain false impressions created by the NSIB’s initial report, ” he said.
He explained that the aircraft involved in the Port Harcourt incident had no mechanical fault or structural damage, insisting that the overrun was purely the result of human error.
“The aircraft had no single damage and flew back to Lagos the same day.
”The pilot involved has nearly 40 years of experience — one of our best. He simply had a bad day,” Onyema said.
He also emphasised that Air Peace enforced some of the most rigorous internal safety protocols in the region, recounting how the airline once voluntarily grounded eight aircraft after detecting a minor documentation error.
“We could have hidden it, but we reported it ourselves to the NCAA. That’s how seriously we take safety,” he added.
Onyema cautioned against the spread of sensational or unverified reports capable of tarnishing the image of Nigerian carriers abroad.
“We must be cautious about what we say because our statements are monitored globally.
“Air Peace remains one of the safest airlines not only in Nigeria but in the world. Let us not destroy our aviation image with misinformation, ” he said.
