NSIB Denies Sabotage Claims Over Air Peace Incident Report

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has rejected allegations that its preliminary report on the Air Peace aircraft incident at Port Harcourt International Airport was designed to discredit the airline.

NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh described the accusations as “very offensive,” stressing that the agency’s work is strictly fact-based and not influenced by external interests.

• The controversy stems from an Air Peace aircraft event on July 13 at Port Harcourt airport.

• The NSIB released a preliminary report, which sparked claims from some quarters that the findings were an attempt to sabotage the airline.

• Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, has had previous reports issued by NSIB, none of which attracted similar accusations.

Speaking during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, Badeh stated:

• “We’ve heard them say [it’s] smear campaign against the airline, but I must point out this is not our first preliminary report… At least while at the helm at NSIB in 18 months, we’ve published countless, even on Air Peace.”

• He stressed that no other past reports had been labeled a smear campaign, making the current accusations surprising.

• The NSIB is committed to facts, not litigation, he emphasized.

Badeh clarified key points regarding the investigation:

• Toxicology tests carried out on the crew were not conducted by the NSIB.

• The agency is not authorized to release such results prematurely.

• Preliminary findings are not equivalent to blame or indictment of either the airline or its personnel.