The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has stated that toxicology tests revealed the presence of intoxicants in the captain and first officer who flew the Boeing 737 with 103 people on board.
This development is based on the 13 July 2025 incident where an Air Peace aircraft with registration 5N-BQQ veered off the runway after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State.
Reacting to the NSIB report, Air Peace said, “To date, we have never received any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.
“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
The airline stated that the first officer had been cleared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and has resumed duties.
According to the airline, “If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.
“However, if the sacked captain tested positive on the breathalyzer test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasized.”