The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has announced far-reaching regulatory sanctions against the flight crew involved in the recent Asaba Airport incident, which occurred on 10 June 2026.
Captain Najomo also confirmed that the pilot-in-command has been removed from flight duties and banned from operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Director-General further disclosed that the First Officer has been suspended pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations into the incident.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, the NCAA boss said the aircraft involved in the incident has been grounded, while its Permit to Fly (PNCF) has been suspended as part of the authority’s immediate safety measures.
He explained that although the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) conducted the initial safety investigation, the regulatory aspect of the case has now been transferred to the NCAA, which has commenced an independent enforcement investigation to determine whether any civil aviation regulations were breached.
According to him, the Department of State Services (DSS) has also joined the investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which the government is treating the incident.
Captain Najomo, a pilot with more than 45 years of flying experience, described the occurrence as highly unusual, expressing disbelief that an aircraft could mistake a roadway for a runway.
“I still cannot understand how an aircraft could mistake a road for a runway. We will leave no stone unturned in determining exactly what happened before taking final regulatory action,” he said.
He assured that the NCAA would thoroughly examine all available evidence before reaching its final conclusions, stressing that aviation safety remains the authority’s foremost priority.
On the Airport Business Summit, Captain Najomo commended the event as an important platform for stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues affecting Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He also responded to concerns raised by operators over monopoly and anti-competitive practices within the sector, assuring stakeholders that the NCAA would carefully review the issues in line with its statutory responsibility as the industry’s economic and safety regulator.
The Director-General reiterated the authority’s commitment to fostering fair competition, ensuring the commercial sustainability of airlines, protecting passengers’ rights, and preventing excessive charges that could negatively affect air transport users.
