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Tag: Murtala Muhammed International Airport

  • Air Peace acquires Boeing 737-800

    Air Peace acquires Boeing 737-800

    As part of its strategic drive to meet rising passenger demand across domestic and regional markets, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, has taken delivery of another Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, further strengthening its operational capacity and network expansion efforts.

    The newly acquired aircraft, with registration number 5N-CGD, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the airline’s continuous fleet growth and modernization programme.

    Configured with 189 Economy Class seats, the Boeing 737-800 NG is designed to deliver enhanced passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and scheduling flexibility across both domestic and regional routes. The aircraft features a spacious cabin layout, generous overhead storage, advanced avionics, modern safety systems, and fuel-efficient engines, making it one of the world’s most dependable and successful narrow-body aircraft.

    Beyond improving the passenger experience, the aircraft offers substantial operational advantages for the airline. Its fuel-efficient performance supports lower operating costs and reduced carbon emissions, aligning with Air Peace’s commitment to sustainable and efficient aviation operations. Its versatility and range capabilities will also enable the airline to optimize route deployment while maintaining schedule reliability across its expanding network.

    For passengers, the arrival of 5N-CGD translates into increased seat capacity, improved connectivity, and more flexible travel options across key destinations. It further reflects the airline’s dedication to deploying the right aircraft across its network while maintaining the highest standards of safety, comfort, and service delivery.

    Air Peace continues to operate one of the most diverse fleets on the African continent, comprising Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraer aircraft, Dornier jets, and Airbus helicopters, efficiently serving domestic, regional, and international destinations.

    With the addition of the Boeing 737-800 NG, Air Peace further reinforces its commitment to connecting people, businesses, and opportunities across Africa and beyond, while advancing its vision of positioning Nigeria as a major aviation hub on the continent.

  • DHL Aviation Welcomes Two Dedicated Boeing 737 Aircrafts to Lagos, Reinforcing Commitment to Africa’s Economic Growth

    DHL Aviation Welcomes Two Dedicated Boeing 737 Aircrafts to Lagos, Reinforcing Commitment to Africa’s Economic Growth

    • …Dedicated fleets provide trade connectivity and support access to global markets

    DHL Aviation today unveiled two fully branded Boeing 737-400 aircrafts at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing investment in SSA’s logistics infrastructure. The additional air capacity will enhance transit times, improve delivery predictability, and extend DHL’s reach to support businesses across West Africa and beyond.

    As the only integrator with a dedicated air network in Sub-Saharan Africa, DHL continues to expand its aviation uplift to meet growing demand from West African businesses across key sectors, including e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences & healthcare.

    “As trade expands across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area, businesses are demanding predictable transit times and consistent delivery performance. The two dedicated aircrafts will be integrated into DHL Aviation’s African air network, strengthening connections on critical Africa-Europe and Africa-Asia trade lanes,” added Anthony Beckley, VP Operations and Aviation, DHL Express SSA.

    DHL’s investment in aviation capacity complements the company’s broader commitment to sustainable growth. The company continues to advance digitalisation through AI-enabled route optimisation and digital customs tools, while piloting renewable energy and alternative fuel projects across its facilities to support long-term environmental goals.

    “With this latest investment, DHL Express reaffirms its position as the logistics partner of choice for businesses seeking to grow their presence in regional and global value chains.” said Riaan Vorster, Aviation Senior Director, DHL Aviation SSA. 

  • NAMA Clarifies Incident Involving United Airlines Flight UAL 613

    NAMA Clarifies Incident Involving United Airlines Flight UAL 613

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued a clarification regarding reports surrounding United Airlines flight UAL 613, which experienced an air return on January 24, 2025. The flight, carrying 256 passengers and 11 crew members, departed Lagos en route to Washington Dulles.

    NAMA is addressing misleading reports and commentary from certain “aviation experts” regarding the incident. For clarity, the incident involving a loss of altitude did not occur within Nigerian airspace. UAL 613 departed Lagos following all international aviation standards and protocols.

    Approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes into the flight, while over Côte d’Ivoire airspace, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The pilot, exercising their prerogative and based on their assessment of the situation, chose to return to Lagos – the flight’s origin – rather than divert to Bamako or Abidjan.

    Upon receiving contact from the flight, NAMA’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately activated medical emergency services, as requested by the pilot and in accordance with standard operating procedures. Lagos Area Control Centre established contact with the flight 180 nautical miles from Lagos, activating a medical emergency standby and guiding the aircraft to a safe landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    Upon arrival, emergency protocols were immediately activated by NAMA’s ATC and ground medical teams, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. A separate United Airlines aircraft flew from Accra to Lagos to transport the passengers onward, following treatment by Nigerian medical personnel. NAMA clarifies that this aircraft was solely for passenger transfer and not a “rescue mission” as has been incorrectly reported.

    NAMA confirms that the airline did not violate any airspace regulations and commends the pilot’s professionalism and sound judgment in prioritizing the safety of all onboard. NAMA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of airspace safety and adhering to international best practices.

    NAMA hopes this clarification will reassure air travellers of the safety of Nigerian airspace and urges analysts to seek accurate information from official sources before commenting on such matters.

  • Lekki Port Enhances Economic Growth through Synergy of Free Zones and Blue Economy

    Lekki Port Enhances Economic Growth through Synergy of Free Zones and Blue Economy

    Lekki Port continues to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s economic advancement by championing the integration of the Lagos Free Zone with the nation’s burgeoning blue economy. This was the key focus at the 17th Nigeria International Maritime Ports and Terminals Conference and Expo (NIMPORT 2024) themed “Charting the Course for the Optimization of Nigeria’s Blue Economy 2,” held at the NIGAV Expo Centre, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from October 29th to 31st.

    Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, who was one of the speakers at the conference, highlighted the pivotal role of Lekki Port in enhancing Nigeria’s blue economy. He discussed how Lekki Port’s strategic location within the Lagos Free Zone and its proximity to other economic hubs facilitates efficient operations through advanced automation and streamlined customs processes, positioning it as a premier gateway for trade in West Africa.

    Daniel remarked, “Lekki Port is at the forefront of fostering economic growth by aligning the benefits of Free Zones with sustainable practices. We leverage our state-of-the-art technology and strong partnerships with agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service to ensure seamless cargo movement and swift customs clearance. This positions Lekki Port as a vital component of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, directly supporting the objectives outlined at NIMPORT 2024.”

    Underscoring Lekki Port’s role within Nigeria’s Free Zones, Daniel added, “Our proximity to multiple Free Trade Zones provides our users with cost-effective logistics and expedited export of goods. This synergy between Lekki Port and Nigeria’s Free Zones enables businesses reduce transportation costs and improve inventory management, all while facilitating access to both Nigerian and international markets.”

    With its cutting-edge infrastructure, including a Port Single Window and Port Community System under development, Lekki Port embodies the vision shared by NIMPORT 2024 of a highly efficient and connected maritime ecosystem. Daniel encouraged investors to explore the substantial opportunities Lekki Port offers, as it remains integral to advancing Nigeria’s economic growth.

  • SAHCO takes over Ethiopian Airlines Ground Handling Services

    SAHCO takes over Ethiopian Airlines Ground Handling Services

    Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC has won the contract to take over the ground handling services to one of the world’s foremost airlines, Ethiopian Airlines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. SAHCO would be providing Ramp handling services, Cargo handling services & Warehousing services and other aviation-related services to the airline starting from January 1st 2024.

    Although SAHCO has been responsible for providing Cargo Handling and Warehousing services to Ethiopian Airlines from 2016 in Lagos, and full handling in Kano, the procurement of State-of-the-art equipment fitted with the latest technology; well trained and customer friendly staff; seamless, safe and speedy service delivery has made them pick SAHCO as their new preferred handler at the Cargo Ramp in Lagos.

    Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and is wholly owned by the Ethiopian government with its hub in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest Airline in terms of passengers carried, destinations served, fleet size and revenue and they have been flying into Nigeria for over 30 years.

    According to the Managing Director/CEO, SAHCO, Basil Agboarumi, “SAHCO’s choice as the preferred ground handling company for full Ethiopian Airlines’ operations at the Cargo Ramp in Lagos is due to its pedigree and brilliant track record over the years. SAHCO has been providing Cargo Services & Warehousing for Ethiopian Airlines for quite a while now and we have displayed a high level of professionalism according to global best practices. This has instilled the trust and confidence that influenced their decision to move their ground handling contract to us”.

    He hinted further that with this business partnership between SAHCO and Ethiopian Airlines, customers are assured of speedy, safe and seamless ramp and cargo movements as they do business with the airline.

    With this new contract, SAHCO has increased the number of airlines that have moved their ground handling contract to SAHCO to enjoy the unrivalled services that SAHCO is reputed for. SAHCO’s constant investment in modern aviation ground support equipment, a team that is versed in the best of Departure Control Systems in the aviation industry, World Tracer and BRS and world-class warehousing services have been irresistible to airlines that want to enjoy the best of services and these has continued to foster SAHCO to ensure that they exceed their customers’ expectations.

    It is worth noting that SAHCO, a Public Limited Company is ISAGO, RA3 and ISO:9001:2015 certified and the only aviation ground handling service provider that is present in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria providing services in Passenger Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Ramp Handling, Aviation security, Crew Administration and Premium Lounge Services.

  • 200 Nigerian passengers stranded as Lufthansa diverts flight to Cotonou, Malabo

    200 Nigerian passengers stranded as Lufthansa diverts flight to Cotonou, Malabo

    Lufthansa Flight LH566 from Frankfurt that was destined to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos as a direct flight was on Friday diverted to Cotonou, Togo and later to Malabo, Capital of Equatorial Guinea by the pilot who lied to the passengers that the Lagos airport was closed.

    The flight with over 200 passengers and about only 15 passengers destined to Malabo was scheduled to arrive Lagos by 5:45 pm on March 3, 2023 before flying to Equatorial Guinea capital, but later arrived Lagos at 2:00 am on March 4, 2023.

    Findings investigations revealed that the Lagos airport was not closed at any time on March 3, and there was no indication that any other airline coming to Lagos diverted the flight to any other airport whether within Nigeria or outside the country.


    While enquiring from General Manager, Public Affairs, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, whether the Lagos airport was closed at any time on March 3, 2023 and she responded, “There was never a day/time that MMA was closed. I will let you know if there will be any closure in the coming days.”


    Anytime any airport is closed, the information is circulated to the world through Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which is managed by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), NOTAM desk also confirmed that the airport was not closed at any time on March 3, 2023.


    Eyewitness account narrated passengers’ experience in the Lufthansa Flight LH568. “They left Frankfurt yesterday (March 2, 2023) by 12 noon to Lagos and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. This flight was supposed to be at Lagos by 5.45 pm. On getting to Lagos, the pilot told the passengers they couldn’t land because the Lagos airport was closed.


    “He took them to Contonou airport and landed, waiting for Lagos airport to open, according to the pilot. They were there for almost three hours, and during this time, relatives waiting for the flight were panicking. Then individuals were now calling relatives asking what was happening in the Lagos airport.

    “It was then passengers knew that Lagos airport was not closed.  They now demanded that the pilot should take them to Lagos.  After much argument, the pilot told them he was taking them to Malabo, to drop the 15 passengers before coming back to Lagos to drop off over 200 passengers.

    “This was what the pilot did. They now landed at 2: 00 am. When the passengers said they wouldn’t come down on arrival at Lagos without the airline making a proper arrangement for them, the pilot threatened them and said he would call the police to evacuate the passengers.”

    Because of the diversion of the flight, the return flight from Lagos to Frankfurt was delayed and so Lufthansa management issued a notice to the Frankfurt- bound passengers from Lagos. The circular dated March 3, 2023, stated,

    “Dear Lufthansa guest, Unfortunately, your flight LH569/3 March from Lagos to Frankfurt is delayed due to operational reasons. The incoming aircraft has been diverted and to land in Cotonou (Benin) and then to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) before reaching Lagos destination.

    “Lufthansa would like to sincerely apologise for this delay and any inconvenience it may have caused your journey.  We have now planned an arrival of the aircraft in Lagos around 01:15 (it arrived 2:00 am) and we will do our best to manage a quick turnaround.”

    Many industry stakeholders were shocked about the pilot’s claim that the airport was closed. It prompted some stakeholders to suggest that the airport might have been closed without proper notification but conceded that if it were so it would not be only Lufthansa that would be affected.

    Airlines that arrive between 4:00 to 7:00 to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport every day include Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways and others.

    But further investigation carried out revealed that Flightradar24 Live Flight Tracker showed that the Lufthansa flight made circled flight around Lagos/Benin Republic airspace before it landed in Cotonou.

    In a conversation with the Head of Business Development, Zenith Travels and the spokesman of Aviation Round Table (ART), Olu Ohunayo, who monitored the incident.

    He said, “For me personally, I want to think that the pilot must have taken a safety precaution, according to the SOP (standard operating procedure) of Lufthansa. Because an airline cannot take off from Frankfurt and deliberately go and land in Cotonou, putting an extra cost on the airline and adding extra working hours to the crew and inconveniencing its passengers.”

  • NSIB releases seven final reports, issues twenty safety recommendations to NCAA, FAAN, others

    NSIB releases seven final reports, issues twenty safety recommendations to NCAA, FAAN, others

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) formerly known as Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released seven final reports of accidents and serious incident air mishaps that occurred within Nigerian airspace to the public.

    The Bureau also issued a total of twenty (20) safety recommendations addressed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria( FAAN) the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the affected airlines, among others,  as safety measures to prevent future reoccurrence of similar incidents.

    Addressing newsmen during the presentation of the reports at the Bureau Headquarters, Safety House, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, NSIB Director General, Engr. Akin Olateru, disclosed that the newly released reports make a total of 82 aircraft accident reports released by the Bureau since its inception in 2007 while a total of 63 reports were released by the current leadership from 2017 till date.

    He said this year alone, seven accident reports and 30 safety recommendations have been released. Olateru added  that, the Bureau has also released a total of two hundred and seventy-two ( 272) safety recommendations since the inception of the Bureau of which a total of One hundred and ninety-one ( 191) of the recommendations were equally released by the current management.

    He also assured of NSIB commitment to the quality investigation of accidents and serious incidents through improving processes, human capacity and equipment, among others.

    “We remain committed through improving our processes, human capacity and equipment, to fulfil our mandate effectively, purposefully, and professionally”, he said.

    Occurrences reports released by the Bureau include the serious incident involving  Bristow helicopters Nigeria Ltd with Registration marks 5N BSN which occurred at Port Harcourt Military Airport (NAF BASE)  on the 9th March, 2020.

    The report of the serious incident involving ATR 72 with Registration Marks 5N- BPG owned and operated by Overland Airways Ltd which occurred at Ilorin Airport on 29th November, 2014.

    The serious incident involving B737-300 with Registration Marks 5N- BUO belonging to Air Peace Ltd, which occurred at FL 310 enroute Enugu from Lagos on 14th December 14th. 2018

     Also released was the report of a serious incident involving British Aerospace BAE 125 -8008 with  Registration Marks 5N- B00 operated by Gyro Aviation Ltd which occurred at Port Harcourt, Nigeria on 16th July 2020.

     The report of the serious incident involving a Dornier 328-100 with Registration Marks 5N- DOX operated by Dornier Aviation Nigeria-  AIEP (DANA) Ltd., which occurred at  port Harcourt Military Airport on 23rd  January 2019 was also released.

    Also released by the Bureau was the final report of the serious incident involving Airbus 330- 243 aircraft operated by Middle Airlines with Registration Marks OD- MEA and  parked Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines with Registration Marks TC EJC, which occurred at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, on 29th July, 2020.

    The released reports also included serious incident involving British Aerospace BAE 125 800B aircraft with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N- BOO operated by Gyro Aviation Ltd., which occurred at Osubi Airstrip, Warri, Nigeria on 10th September 2020.

     The Bureau’s Director General in his final remarks said the details of the reports, which include the factual information, findings, analysis, conclusions and safety recommendations on the investigations are available for download on the Bureau ‘s website.

  • NDLEA intercepts 1.7million opioid pills in noodles, others at Lagos airport, Gombe

    NDLEA intercepts 1.7million opioid pills in noodles, others at Lagos airport, Gombe

    …seizes 5,460.34kgs of skunk in Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Kaduna, Oyo, Delta raids

    At least, One Million Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty (1,760,460) pills of Tramadol and other opioids have been intercepted hidden in indomie noodles packs and others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos as well as in Gombe state.


    While over 600,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg coming from Karachi, Pakistan in two separate shipments on Ethiopian Airlines flights were intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th December; 5,960 pills of Rohypnol concealed in 60 packs of indomie noodles going to Johannesburg, South Africa were also seized at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Wednesday 14th December. A female freight agent, Olaleye Adeola has already been arrested in connection with the noodles consignment.


    In a related development, a trader at Balogun market in Lagos Island, Akunne Chibuzor Tochukwu was on Tuesday 13th Dec arrested in collaboration with the Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Lagos over his attempt to export a Tramadol consignment to Dubai, UAE. The consignment was seized at the Lagos airport by NDLEA operatives on 25th November while a market labourer, Oke Abosede Ronke whose services were requested to convey the drug for export had earlier been arrested.


    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Sunday 11th December intercepted a truck and a bus conveying 113 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,802.84 kilograms around the VGC estate area of Ajah while three suspects: Taofeek Yusuf; Ifeanyi Okorie and Israel Nwachukwu were arrested in connection with the seizures.


    In Gombe state, a total of 1,154,500 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol and Exol being transported from Onitsha, Anambra state to Gombe by a truck driver, Umar Hassan, 28, were seized on Thursday 15th Dec. at Bye pass area of Gombe by a team of NDLEA officers following credible intelligence.


    Also acting on intelligence, operatives in Edo state on Friday 16th Dec intercepted a Honda Ridgeline pick-up vehicle with Reg No BWR 699 CV loaded with 29 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 319kgs. The driver of the vehicle, Alfred Vratombo, 32, was arrested with fake police uniforms, which he was using to deceive security men on the road.


    Attempt by a drug dealer, Chucks Kalu, 29, to smuggle into Kano 26kgs of cannabis concealed inside packs of blenders was thwarted by operatives who intercepted the consignment along Abuja-Kaduna express road and later arrested him in a follow up operation in Kano, just as another suspect, Rabilu Sa’ad Abubakar,42, was also arrested in a follow up operation in Kano, following the seizure of his consignment 1,980 bottles of Cough syrup with codeine, concealed inside cartons, were seized along Abuja-Kaduna express road.


    In Bauchi state, operatives on Saturday 17th Dec arrested Muhammed Ahmed, 40, with 288 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 244.5Kg in Darazo area of the state, while in Delta state, NDLEA officers stormed the home of a drug kingpin, Okrika Kingsley Ozioma, at Usiefurum town, Ughelli South LGA, where an underground drug bunk was uncovered in a three-bedroom bungalow building owned by the suspect who is now on the run. 17.6kgs of C/S were recovered from the bunk in addition to a 2003 Silver Golf car with registration number Lagos KJA 572 AZ used for the distribution of drugs within and outside Warri.


    In Oyo state, a suspect, Yusuf Ayinde, 40, was arrested with 50.4kgs Cannabis in his residence at Idi-Ose via Amuloko, Ona-Ara LGA, on Saturday 17th Dec.


    While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Gombe, Edo, Delta, Kaduna and Oyo state commands for their commitment and vigilance leading to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) CON, OFR urged them and their compatriots across other formations to continue to surpass their past records of achievements.

  • NDLEA arrests wanted kingpin, another Saudi-bound trafficker with cocaine in sandals

    NDLEA arrests wanted kingpin, another Saudi-bound trafficker with cocaine in sandals

    …Recovers 4kg cocaine soaked in towels from Brazilian returnee; nabs cripple drug dealer, others over 5.8 tons of skunk

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the weekend disrupted the activities of a major cocaine syndicate in Lagos following the arrest of a 56-year-old trafficker, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga who was on a mission to deliver 400grams of the class A drug concealed in a pair of palm sandals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the swift follow up arrest of a wanted notorious kingpin, Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher, who recruits mules for the cartel.

    NDLEA operatives attached to the screening point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos had on Thursday 24th November intercepted Lawal Lateef Oyenuga with a pair of black palm sandals packed in the luggage he was going with to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airways flight.

    A thorough examination of the sandals revealed they were used to conceal two parcels of cocaine weighing 400 grams. This is barely a week after a 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs. Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was arrested at the airport over her attempt to traffic 400 grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear to Makkah, Saudi Arabia on board a Qatar Airways flight.

    In his statement, Oyenuga claimed he was recruited to traffic the drug by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher, adding that he was first given some pellets of cocaine to swallow but when he couldn’t do that, then he was given the ones concealed in the palm sandals. He said he resorted to the criminal trade to raise money to pay an examination fee for his daughter who is in Senior Secondary School class 3.

    The Agency’s database reveals Wasiu Sanni (Teacher) has been linked to some previous attempts to traffic cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE. He was earlier named as the one who recruited a BRT driver, Bolajoko Muyiwa Babalola for Lagos socialite and owner of Adekaz Hotels, Alhaji Ademola Afolabi Kazeem (a.k.a Alhaji Abdallah Kazeem Muhammed) to traffic drugs to Dubai. Bolajoko was arrested on 27th June while taking 900 grams of cocaine to Dubai while Ademola Kazeem was nabbed on Thursday 10th November, barely 10 days after he was declared wanted by NDLEA.

    A follow up operation in the early hours of Friday 25th November led to the arrest of the kingpin, Teacher, who specialises in recruiting mules for drug barons in Lagos and its environs at his residence located in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The 64-year-old Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan is a housing and property agent, with seven children and four wives, one of whom is now late.

    In another follow up operation to the seizure of 1.10kg cannabis concealed in bottles of body cream going to Dubai on 9th September, the actual owner of the consignment, Wordu Hopewell Chukwuemeka who runs a boutique business in Port Harcourt, Rivers state was arrested in the Garden City on Thursday 24th Nov.

    In the same vein, operatives attached to NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Tuesday 22nd Nov. intercepted a consolidated cargo from Johannesburg, South Africa via an Airpeace Airline flight. The cargo contained different items, including cloths, cereals, baby toys, drinks, and a set of two big black speakers, which were used to conceal 25 parcels of Loud variant of cannabis, with a gross weight of 5.5kg

    Similarly, operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed of the airport same Tuesday intercepted a carton of food items used to conceal 500 grams of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE while the owner, Uzoma Kingsley was promptly arrested.

    In a related development, attempt by an Organised Criminal Group to traffic 131kg of Ephedrine, a dominant precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine to Congo Kinshasa through the SAHCO export shed of the airport was foiled on Monday 21st Nov by NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Two freight agents: Nwazuru Georgewill and Saheed Muritala linked to the bid were promptly arrested.

    Meanwhile, attempt by a drug trafficker, Udogwu James Johnson, facing multiple charges of drug offences to flee the country after he jumped bail has been thwarted by NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport where he was arrested on Friday 25th Nov. The 51-year-old suspect was already facing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos before he was arrested again on Saturday 9th April in Port Harcourt for importing 5.48kg cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday 23rd Nov over his latest offence while the Lagos court had issued a warrant of arrest against him for jumping bail over his case in Lagos.

    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, the move by a Brazilian returnee, Iroegbute Ejike Francis, 46, to smuggle 4kg cocaine soaked in towels stuffed in his hand luggage into the country was foiled on Thursday 24th Nov by NDLEA officers who arrested him, upon his arrival on a Qatar Airline flight from Brazil -Doha-Abuja.

    No fewer than 5,851.3 kilograms (5.8 tons) of cannabis sativa were seized from dealers across five states in the past week, including a notorious cripple, Ibrahim Yusuf, 45, who was arrested on Monday 21st Nov. at Gasline, Ifo, Ogun state with 4kg of the psychotropic substance, while a total of 36 bags weighing 570kg of the same substance were recovered in another raid at a forest in Ogunmakin town, Obafemi Owode LGA.

    In Edo, operatives on Tuesday 22nd Nov evacuated 141 bags of Cannabis Sativa with a gross weight of 1,884 kg (1.884 tons) stored in a warehouse in Okpe forest, Akoko Edo LGA, while on Thursday 24th Nov, NDLEA officers arrested Ismaila Abubakar, 50, at Okada junction, Ovia South West LGA with 22 bags of C/S weighing 216.5kg. A day after, operatives also seized 112 bags of C/S stored in Obi Camp forest, Ovia South West LGA weighing 1, 512kg.

    This was also followed by another seizure of 45 bags that weighed 529.5kg, while officers equally intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus with Reg. No. BDG 598 FZ (Lagos) loaded with 566.5kg cannabis going to Onitsha, Anambra State, and a suspect, Sunday Mathias, 30, was arrested with the seizure.

    In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives stormed Oke-Ogun forest on Friday 25th Nov where Onyebuchi Chime was arrested with 88kg cannabis, a gun and some ammunition while they also recovered 149.5kg of the substance at Ipele forest. Not less than 12.42 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed and 195kg processed weeds of the substance recovered at Efon Alaye, Ekiti state where two dealers: Richard Ebong and Nze Abraham were arrested on Saturday 26th Nov.

    In Oyo state, operatives arrested a 27-year-old Mrs. Adebayo Rahmat on Thursday 24th Nov at Sabo-Ilupeju, Atiba LGA, with 136.3kg cannabis, while no fewer than 84,000 pills of Tramadol tablets were recovered from a suspect, Muhsin Abdullahi in Bodinga area of Sokoto state same day. In the same vein, 16,000 pills of Exol-5 and D5 concealed in palm oil were seized from Lawal Rabe, 24, on Friday 25th Nov at Kokami village, Danta LGA, Katsina while a total of 54,500 tablets of Tramadol and Exol-5 were seized from the duo of Basiru Muhammadu and Saidu Yusuf in the same area on Saturday 26th Nov.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the MMIA, NAIA, PHIA, Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Katsina and Oyo Commands of the Agency for their professionalism in the discharge of their duties and the remarkable results that followed. He enjoined them and their compatriots across the country not to let down their guards as the nation approaches the festive season.

  • NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound widow with cocaine in footwears at Lagos airport

    NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound widow with cocaine in footwears at Lagos airport

    …intercepts 5.6kg cocaine, meth heading to Australia, Cyprus at courier firms

    A 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs. Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos over her attempt to traffic 400grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    The suspect who claims to be a businesswoman trading in adults and children’s wears on Lagos Island was intercepted on Sunday 13th November while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight going to Saudi Arabia via Doha. Upon a critical examination of the pair of sandals she was wearing, two parcels of cocaine weighing 400grams were recovered from them.

    In the same vein, attempts by a tricycle parts seller, Ayoade Kehinde Tayo to send 1kg of Tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo on an Egypt Airline flight same day were also frustrated by NDLEA operatives who arrested him. He was at the airport to hand over the drugs hidden inside a bag of food items to an intending passenger, Idowu Ayoade but was arrested before he succeeded in doing that.

    An intending passenger to Oman via Asky airline, Agbamuche Bright Nkeonye and a lady, Adeoye Oluwakemi Fatimo who accompanied him to present a bag containing varieties of foodstuffs and body lotion which were used to conceal 1.10kg Cannabis and some Rohypnol capsules were also arrested at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Thursday 18th November.

    Anti-narcotics officers attached to the SAHCO export shed of the airport equally foiled attempts by traffickers to smuggle consignments of cannabis and ecstasy tablets concealed in three tubers of yam going to Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 17th Nov. The freight agent who presented the yams for export, Inegbu Ugochi Akunna was promptly arrested while the consignor, Ahmodu Sulaimon was also nabbed thereafter.

    At the Brawal container shed of Kirikiri lighter terminal in Lagos, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted cartons of deadly drinks in a container marked APZU3671697 during a joint examination with Customs. Though the bill of lading indicated that the container originated from Cape town, South Africa, a search of the the shippers’ database showed it was loaded from Antwerp, Belgium. A full inspection of the container on Thursday 18th Nov showed a total of five cartons of beverages labeled as Euphoria cannabis beer and three cartons of cannabis energy drink were found. Other drinks in the container include: 21 cartons of a drink labeled as monkey shoulder; 20 cartons of dead man’s finger; and 139 of champagne fruit, among others.

    In a related development, not less than 5.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine and tramadol were discovered in items like play station, bicycles, motor propeller and local fabrics packaged for export to Australia and Cyprus through some courier firms in Lagos. Two suspects, Gabriel Emeka and Vintura Grillo have been arrested in a follow up operation linked to one of the seizures.

    In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on stop and search operation along Mokwa-Jebba road on Saturday 12th Nov. arrested two suspects; Ismail Musa and Jidda Abbas with 10,780 bottles of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance concealed inside two Toyota Camry saloon cars marked AGL 861 GS Lagos and KMK 118 SC Bayelsa. The consignment loaded in Ibadan, Oyo state, was going to Abuja for distribution.

    While operatives intercepted 25,000 capsules of Tramadol in Plateau and arrested the owner, Ifeanyi Nweanwe, a beer parlour operator in a follow up operation in Bauchi, pharmaceutical opioids worth more than N30million were intercepted in a commercial bus in Asaba, Delta state on Thursday 18th Nov.

    In Ondo state, operatives stormed the Ijare forest, in Ifedore LGA on Friday 19th Nov where a total of 600.5kgs of cannabis weed and seeds were recovered, while 142.8kgs of the same substance were seized when NDLEA officers raided zone 3 motor park in Wuse area of Abuja. In the same vein, operatives on routine stop and search patrol along Owerri-Onitsha road arrested a suspect Nwankwo Emmanuel, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 12.5kgs in a commercial bus going to Port Harcourt from Lagos.

    In his reaction to the arrests and seizures in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Tincan, Delta, FCT, Niger, Ondo, and Plateau Commands as well as those of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, for their passion, commitment and remarkable efforts to get results in their areas of responsibility. He enjoined them and their compatriots across the country to stay focused and resilient in the pursuit of the Agency’s corporate goal.

  • 75-year-old Grandpa, 21 others arrested over tons of illicit drugs seized in 7 states

    75-year-old Grandpa, 21 others arrested over tons of illicit drugs seized in 7 states

    …NDLEA intercepts 1,001,387 bottles/caps of Akuskura, opioids; destroys over 10 hectares of cannabis farms in Edo, Adamawa

    A 75-year-old grandpa, Usman Bokina Bajama (alias Clemen) tops the list of 22 suspects arrested in operations across seven states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during which One Million One Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Seven (1,001,387) bottles/capsules of banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura and tramadol as well as 2,536 kilograms of cannabis were seized and over 10 hectares of its farms destroyed in Edo and Adamawa.


    The septuagenarian was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday 20th September at Anguwan Sate, Mararraban Tola, Mayo Belwa council area of Adamawa where he had a cannabis plantation from where 49kg of the illicit substance was recovered.


    In Kwara, at least 19,878 bottles of the banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura were intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Ilorin-Jebba highway on Wednesday 21st September and two suspects: Oladokun Oluwaseun, 49, and Ibrahim Jimoh,27, arrested. They claimed the consignment packed in 35 jumbo sacks was loaded in Ibadan, Oyo state, and meant for distribution in Jos, Plateau state.

    Earlier, two suspects: Ukoro Ifeanyi, 46, and Idowu Toyosi, 20, were arrested with 2,290 capsules of tramadol and 100 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Maraba park, Ilorin. The drugs were brought in from Onitsha, Anambra state.


    In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with
    2,146 kilograms of cannabis at Sangotedo area of Ajah and three suspects: Abdulazeez Rasheed; Afeez Raheem and Moshood Suleiman arrested. At least, 979,119 capsules of expired pregabalin weighing 733kg were recovered from Musbahu Ya’u, 28, and five others at Dansarai area of Kano, while in Enugu, 197.8kg cannabis was recovered in a store at new market, Enugu on Tuesday 20th September.

    In the same vein, 117.7kg of the psychoactive substance was intercepted along Okene-Abuja expressway in a truck coming from Lagos to Abuja.


    In Edo state, six cannabis farmers were arrested when NDLEA operatives stormed their farms at Chigbite, Utese forest, Ovia North East LGA and Ekudo forest, Uhunmonde LGA, where over 10 hectares of cannabis plantation were destroyed and more than 193kg of the processed illicit substance seized. Those arrested include: David Hanson; Ufuoma Progress; Marvelous Armstrong; Marvelous Efe; Joshua Abubakar and Elijah Abubakar.


    Meanwhile, anti-narcotic officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have arrested two freight agents over attempts to smuggle 26.20kg cannabis concealed in cereal packs through the SAHCO shed for export to Dubai, UAE. The consignment was abandoned at the shed before the airport security transferred it to NDLEA.


    Further investigation by the Agency led to the arrest of Olatunbosun Damilola Abimbola, 34, who works at Ashadox Logistics Services, a cargo company on Friday 23rd Sept. He confessed to the crime but stated that he acted on the instructions of his Managing Director, Oloyede Shakiru Abiola, who was promptly arrested. The 40-year-old indigene of Ibadan West Local Government Area of Oyo State stated that due to the strict security measures put in place by the NDLEA, he was forced to abandon the cargo to avoid being detected.


    Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of Adamawa, Kwara, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kogi, Edo and MMIA Commands for their resilience, while charging them and others across the country to remain vigilant and committed to the collective goal of saving Nigeria from the drug scourge.

  • Back from Ethiopian prison, ex-convict arrested with cocaine at airport

    Back from Ethiopian prison, ex-convict arrested with cocaine at airport


    … as NDLEA intercepts 26,600 bottles of Akuskura in Kano, arrests producer; seizes 18 pump action guns, 2,300 cartridges in Kogi

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested an ex-convict, Onyeka Charles Madukolu at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos for importing 5.90 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cans of deodorants and ladies’ lip gloss into Nigeria.


    Onyeka who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in Ethiopia for drug trafficking offences and released from prison in 2020, was again arrested on Friday 16th September 2022 at the Lagos airport on his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.


    A search of his luggage revealed he had concealed 5.90kg cocaine inside cans of deodorants and female lip gloss. During preliminary interview, he claimed to have gone into the drug business to raise fresh capital to start a legitimate business after his release from Ethiopian prison in 2020.


    The father of two kids, one each from a Nigerian woman and a Brazilian lady, said he was into motor spare parts business before going into the criminal trade. The 44-year-old indigene of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State said he was expecting to be paid N2million on successful delivery of the illicit drug in Nigeria.


    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives had on Tuesday 13th Sept. intercepted another trafficker, Chukwu Kingsley on his way to Rome, Italy on an Asky Airline flight. A search of his luggage shows he had concealed among food condiments 11,460 tablets of tramadol 225mg with a gross weight of 5.7kg and 39 bottles of codeine syrup. The 49-year-old suspect is a known haulage agent who hails from Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State.


    Also at the Lagos airport, a freight agent, Lawal Adeyemi was arrested same day for attempting to export some sachets of lexotan among other non-controlled drugs to Liberia, while operatives equally seized 593.90 kilograms of khat leaf at the NAHCO import shed of the airport on Thursday 15th Sept. after a joint examination of the cargo by a combined team of security agencies.


    Meanwhile, a notable producer of new psychoactive substance, popularly called Akuskura, Qasim Ademola has been arrested by anti-narcotic officers who intercepted 26, 600 bottles of the illicit substance meant for distribution across Northern states. The consignment was seized on Thursday 15th Sept. along Zaria-Kano road, Gadar Tamburawa, Kano while the 39-year-old proprietor from Akinyele LGA, Oyo state and three of his distributors were arrested in follow up operations.


    In Kogi state, operatives on patrol along Okene-Abuja expressway on Saturday 17th Sept. intercepted a J5 vehicle coming from Onitsha enroute Kaduna-Zaria with 18 pieces of pump action rifles and 1,300 cartridges, while the two suspects conveying the arms and ammunition, Chukwudi Aronu, 51, and Shuaibu Gambo, 23, were arrested. Another suspect, Anthony Agada, 37, conveying 1,000 cartridges, was equally nabbed in a bus coming from Onitsha to Abuja same day, while 1,404 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,040 ampoules of pentazocine injection were seized from another vehicle coming from Onitsha enroute Sokoto, with the receiver, Stanley Raymond, 39, and the sender, Shadrack Ifediora, 46, arrested in follow up operations in Sokoto and Anambra respectively.


    In Kaduna, a drug dealer, Mohammed Mustapha Dalhatu a.k.a Dawa, was arrested at Sabon Gari Zaria with eight bags of cannabis sativa weighing 67kg, and another, Maikudi Hassan, arrested at Gubuci village of Ikara LGA with five bags of cannabis weighing 54.2kg. On Thursday 15th Sept, operatives also arrested Mary Ugwu and Hawwa Idi, at Anchau town, Kubau LGA with 721 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 37,000 tablets of exol-5 and nine ampoules of diazepam injection as well as 6.8kg of rubber solution.


    In Edo, operatives recovered 285kg cannabis in two raids at Okpuje, Owan West LGA, on Friday 16th Sept, while in Lagos, 972.5kg of the same substance was recovered from an electronic shop at Alaba Int’l market and one of the suspects, Mrs. Ebere Aja, 38, arrested. No less than 335.1kg of cannabis was also seized in a raid at Kwanar Kundum area of Bauchi town, with two suspects: Usman Garba and Najib Ibrahim, arrested.


    While directing the Kogi state command to immediately hand over the arms and ammunition seized to the police for further investigation, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the command as well as their counterparts in MMIA, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Lagos, and Bauchi, for their vigilance and resilience. He charged them and others across the country to remain focussed as they daily discharge their responsibilities.

  • NDLEA arrests Lagos airport cleaner who leads drug syndicate

    NDLEA arrests Lagos airport cleaner who leads drug syndicate

    …seizes tons of narcotics in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Edo, Delta, others

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a cleaner at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, Ohiagu Sunday, who leads a drug syndicate at the international wing of the airport.


    He was nabbed on Tuesday 23rd August following the arrest of an intending passenger on Airpeace flight to Dubai, UAE, Obinna Jacob Osita who was arrested with three bags, two of which contained eight blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 4.25kg concealed in cassava product, gari and crayfish.

    One other member of the airport syndicate who works with Ohiagu has also been arrested while operatives are after another suspect.


    Investigations revealed that a Dubai-based drug dealer recruited Obinna, a 42-year-old native of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State to traffic the drugs and equally contracted Ohiagu, a 34-year-old airport cleaner from Orlu West Local Government Area of Imo State to create access for the unhindered passage of the trafficker.


    The drug syndicate bust, which is the first drug arrest at the new terminal of the MMIA comes on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of bottles of viju and fearless energy drinks used to conceal skunk for export to Dubai, UAE through the NAHCO export shed on Monday 15th Aug. A freight agent has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.


    In the same vein, attempt by a syndicate to export illicit drugs through the Lagos airport on Wednesday 24th Aug was foiled during an outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline to Oman via Addis Ababa.


    A suspect Jonah Chukwuemeka was arrested with a total of 1,995 Tramadol tablets with a gross weight of 900 grams hidden in locust beans in his luggage. The bag containing the illicit substance was handed over to him at the airport by one Olagunju Abbas who was promptly arrested.


    Packs of Tramadol 225mg containing 119,500 capsules were Thursday 25th Aug transferred to NDLEA by the Nigeria Customs, cargo wing of MMIA. The consignment had come in through Ethiopian Airline from Pakistan.


    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided a car shop, Bolak Motors at Ewela bus stop, Oshodi where bags of 615.2kg cannabis were recovered along with nine vehicles. Efforts are ongoing to track the car dealer, Alhaji Ismail who is currently at large.


    No fewer than eight suspects were arrested and bags of illicit drugs seized from them when Akerele area of Agege, Shogunle and Mafoluku areas of Oshodi, Fagba area of Ogba, Ipodo area of Ikeja and Iyana Ipaja park were raided in the state.


    In Yobe state, two suspected fake security agents taking 14kg cannabis to Maiduguri, Borno state were intercepted along Potiskum- Damaturu road. While Adetula Olarenwaju was arrested with four blocks of the substance on Thursday 25th Aug on his way from Lagos, Sadiq Garba returning from Gombe was nabbed with 22 blocks of the substance on Saturday 27th Aug.


    In Edo, Abu Segun Sunday was arrested with 48.4kg cannabis at Idk quarter, Ibilo, while Rosemary Afekhuai was caught with 1,130 tramadol caps, among others at Oluma quarters, Otuo, Owan East LGA.


    In Delta, Mustapha Isah, was arrested at Oko Market with 9, 800 Tramadol caps weighing 6.4kg while NDLEA operatives in Kaduna also nabbed Chinedu Onnuka, at Narayi Kaduna with 33,000 tablets of Bromazepam.


    No fewer than 80 blocks of cannabis sativa were recovered from an abandoned tricycle with reg. no: BAU 70 WL while 25,000 tablets of exol-5 were seized from a dealer, Usman Muhammed who was nabbed along Bauchi-Gombe road.


    A raid operation at a market in Mubi, Adamawa state on Wednesday 24th Aug led to the seizure of 62,360 tablets of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5 while two suspects, Sirajo Idris and Anas Abubakar were arrested same day with 107 pallets of cannabis at Kamba, a border town in Kebbi State. The skunk weighing 90kg was smuggled in from Benin Republic.


    In Kano, a drug dealer Lawal Adamu, 31, was arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora, with 203 blocks of cannabis weighing 136kg, while another suspect, Taheer Abdullahi was nabbed on Friday 26th Aug. at Gadar Tamburawa, with 3000 ampules of tramadol injection.


    A raid operation at Kara Masaka, back of Mararaba market and Zamani estate on Saturday 27th Aug. led to the arrest of 26 suspects, while 25.7kg cannabis, 4.5kg codeine and 300 tablets of rohypnol tablets were seized from the drug joints raided. In Sokoto state, the village head of Ruga, Shagari LGA, Alhaji Umaru Mohammed (aka Danbala), a notorious drug dealer who was arrested on Monday 22nd Aug. will be facing charges any moment from now.

    Before his recent arrest during which 436.381kg cannabis and 1kg diazepam were recovered from his house, an earlier raid on his home on July 20th 2022 had also led to the seizure of 11.5kg cannabis, 2.259kg exol5 and 500grams of diazepam.


    Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Edo, Delta and Lagos Commands for the arrests and seizures. He charged them and their compatriots across the country not to rest on their oars.

  • Ibom Air A220 Passengers Disembark at the Cargo Apron of MMIA

    Ibom Air A220 Passengers Disembark at the Cargo Apron of MMIA

    Ibom Air flight QI 0307 from Abuja to Lagos had its passengers disembark at the International cargo Apron of Murtala Muhammed International Airport this morning.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette. The statement reads-

    “We would like to bring to your attention the reason behind the disembarkation of our passengers at the Cargo Apron of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    Ibom Air flight QI 0307, the 10.30 am flight from Abuja to Lagos departed on time and landed normally at the international runway in Lagos, on schedule at 11.41 am.

    Upon taxiing off the runway, the pilots noticed an indication from the main wheels, suggesting a malfunction.

    In accordance with company procedure, rather than taxi the full distance to the domestic terminal, the crew opted to turn off into the international cargo apron from where stairs and buses were positioned to disembark the passengers and take them to the domestic arrival hall.

    All 128 passengers on board were safely disembarked and transported to the arrival hall at MMA2, while our Engineers work on the fault.

    This statement is given to clear any ambiguity while expressing our regrets to our passengers for the inconvenience.”

  • CopterJet International berths in Lagos

    CopterJet International berths in Lagos

    …calls for synergy to transform the aviation industry
    Aviation specialist service firm, Copterjet International has called for strategic collaboration with stakeholders to drive growth, transformation and development in Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
    The company, which officially launched on Thursday, September 30th at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), said that with the right initiatives, support and collaboration with key players, the Nigerian aviation industry would drive economic prosperity and sustainability.
    Speaking during the highbrow event, Chief Executive Officer, Copterjet International, Captain Toluwa Olorunyomi stated that the company is fully prepared to step into the aviation industry from the top end of the market with the capacity to drive growth and development, not only in Nigeria’s aviation industry but in Africa at large.
    According to Olorunyomi, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation ecosystem and its fallout on the tourism and hospitality businesses have created an opportunity for stakeholders to identify strategies and innovative solutions that would change the narratives in the business space; hence it is a fitting time for Copterjet to emerge.
    “At Copterjet, our vision is premised on a resolute mandate to transform the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond. We have drawn a detailed roadmap with a back-end strategy geared towards driving major initiatives that would herald a new era of opportunities to position Nigeria’s aviation industry as a global powerhouse. Our coming marks the beginning of a new dawn and also a historic event in the aviation industry”, he stated.
    Speaking on the need for innovative solutions that will propel the aviation industry to the fore of global competitiveness, Olorunyomi stated that collaboration with key stakeholders, such as government and the private sector will play a critical role. According to him, Copterjet is focused on building strong and dynamic partnerships with people from diverse backgrounds as no entity can possibly drive structural transformation alone; hence strategic collaboration is key.
    “I call on captains of industry to rise to the occasion and make Nigeria the hub of aviation in Africa. We have the number, we have the strength and so it is high time we leveraged on our strengths. We must be as competitive as possible in the industry given the necessary support”, he added.
    Also speaking at the event, National President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Abednego Galadima, lauded Copterjet for its commitment to taking aviation to an enviable height, stating that the company’s emergence at a time COVID -19  is still ravaging all sectors of the economy including aviation is a favourable development.
    He said that the services which the company offers would not only help airline operators but also other aviation stakeholders.
    “Copterjet will provide solutions to aircraft and equipment leasing where there has been a huge gap for years. With greater cooperation in the industry, Nigeria will experience newness and that will spur a new impetus in the industry. They have come and are here for the good of all,” Galadima stated.