Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described the landing and subsequent departure of a private aircraft from a roadway near Asaba, Delta State, as a serious violation of aviation regulations and a matter of national security concern.
The aircraft reportedly failed to land at Asaba Airport on Wednesday morning and instead touched down on a concrete road still under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area. According to a statement issued through the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, the pilot attempted to land at about 7:43 a.m. but was unable to access the airport runway before making a safe landing on the unfinished roadway.
While expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in the incident, Keyamo said the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft’s subsequent departure had raised significant regulatory and security concerns. He noted that investigations revealed Air Traffic Control was only informed after the aircraft was already airborne, suggesting it departed without the required operational clearance.
Following the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounded the aircraft upon its arrival in Lagos and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation. The regulator has also launched a full-scale review into the incident and the actions of the aircraft operator.
Describing the development as unacceptable, Keyamo said it constituted a serious breach of aviation and security protocols. He disclosed that the NCAA is working with the aircraft operator, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and other stakeholders to determine the full circumstances surrounding both the unauthorised landing and departure.
The minister further revealed that relevant security agencies have taken custody of the flight crew, who are currently assisting investigators. He assured Nigerians that a transparent and thorough investigation would be conducted, stressing that no individual or operator, regardless of status, would be allowed to bypass established aviation procedures designed to protect lives and safeguard the integrity of the nation’s airspace system.
Elijah Adeyemi
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