Aviation minister calls private jet landing on Delta road a security concern

A private aircraft's controversial landing on an unfinished road near Asaba, Delta State, has drawn sharp criticism from Nigeria's Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo. He described the incident and the subsequent departure of the aircraft as a grave regulatory and security concern, constituting a serious breach of aviation regulations and security protocols.

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The Honourable Minister, while expressing gratitude that no lives were lost, described the incident and the events that followed as a matter of grave regulatory and security concern.

The aircraft reportedly attempted to land at Asaba Airport on Wednesday morning but ended up on a concrete road under construction in the Ogwashi-Uku area. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded the aircraft in Lagos pending a comprehensive investigation. The operator's permit for non-commercial flight has been suspended, and a full review of the incident is underway.

Keyamo expressed relief that no lives were lost but highlighted that Air Traffic Control was only notified after the aircraft was already airborne. This implies the flight departed without necessary operational clearance, raising further alarm. The NCAA is conducting a thorough review of all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight records associated with the aircraft and its operator.

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It has further been established that Air Traffic Control was only notified after the aircraft was already airborne, implying that the flight departed without the necessary operational clearance.

Relevant security agencies have taken custody of the flight crew, who are currently assisting investigators. The NCAA stated it would not hesitate to impose further enforcement actions if warranted under civil aviation regulations.

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The NCAA will undertake a thorough review of all operational, airworthiness, maintenance, and flight-related records associated with the aircraft and operator, and will not hesitate to impose further enforcement actions as may be warranted under the applicable civil aviation regulations.