Senate Clears Air Peace, Faults NSIB Over Flawed Report on Pilot Drug, Alcohol Claims

• The Nigerian Senate has absolved Air Peace of any misconduct in the July 13 runway overrun at the Port Harcourt International Airport, faulting the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for issuing what it described as “inconsistent and uncoordinated” findings about alleged drug and alcohol use by the airline’s crew.

The Senate Committee on Aviation on Thursday exonerated Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, of wrongdoing in the July 13 runway overrun incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport, declaring that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report alleging substance use by its pilots was based on “inconsistent and uncoordinated findings.”

The committee’s conclusion followed an extensive investigative hearing held at the National Assembly, where lawmakers reviewed the NSIB’s preliminary report and testimonies from aviation stakeholders.

Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, said the Senate’s findings revealed significant discrepancies in the NSIB’s initial claims that some Air Peace crew members tested positive for alcohol and cannabis, before later narrowing the allegation to two personnel.

“You can see that, unfortunately, most of those allegations are not true,” Senator Buhari stated after the session. “The report was disjointed and not coordinated. You don’t accuse people wrongly, especially in aviation, where ICAO and other global bodies monitor us closely.”

Buhari, who represents Oyo North, added that the review confirmed the Air Peace aircraft suffered no structural damage and successfully returned to Lagos on the same day.

He commended the airline for its strict safety standards and random drug-testing protocols, urging Nigerians to protect indigenous carriers rather than tarnish their reputations with unverified claims.

“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own. We must support them, not destroy them. The most important thing is that no lives were lost and the aircraft was not damaged,” he said.

The lawmaker also disclosed plans for a new Senate bill compelling federal agencies and government officials to patronize Nigerian airlines, as part of efforts to strengthen the local aviation industry.

During the session, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, dismissed the NSIB’s narrative as “misleading and damaging,” saying it had created false impressions before international regulators.

“The aircraft in question had no single damage. It flew back to Lagos the same day,” Onyema explained. “The pilot has flown for nearly 40 years — one of the most experienced in our fleet. He simply had a bad day.”

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He further highlighted Air Peace’s internal safety culture, noting that he once grounded eight aircraft in a single day after discovering a maintenance issue.

“We could have hidden it, but we reported it ourselves to the NCAA. That’s how seriously we take safety,” he added.

The Senate’s intervention comes amid mounting public concern that the NSIB’s handling of the case could hurt Nigeria’s air safety reputation before global aviation authorities.

Lawmakers are expected to present their final report to the full Senate in the coming weeks, with recommendations for stronger coordination among aviation regulators and clearer post-incident communication.

The controversy erupted in August 2025, when the NSIB alleged that a co-pilot and cabin crew member involved in the Port Harcourt runway excursion tested positive for alcohol and THC — claims the affected staff have publicly denied.