The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed a serious aviation safety breach involving a ValueJet aircraft at the Domestic Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday when the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, commenced departure procedures from the aircraft’s designated bay without securing the mandatory pre-departure clearance from air traffic control.
The NCAA described the action as a grave violation of standard operating procedures, noting that it endangered the lives of ground personnel, airport staff, and passengers. The move not only contravenes local aviation guidelines but also breaches international civil aviation safety standards.
In swift response, the Authority announced the immediate suspension of both the pilot, Captain Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, pending the outcome of a full investigation into the incident.
“This is a matter of utmost seriousness,” the NCAA stated, adding that the enforcement action reflects its zero-tolerance policy toward safety violations in Nigerian airspace.
The aviation regulator reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of air travel safety across the country and assured stakeholders that thorough investigations would be conducted to prevent a recurrence.
