A civic organization, Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development, NEFGAD, has called for the resignation of the Director General of the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau, NSIB, Mr Alex Badeh Jr, over the controversial toxicology report on an airport runway incident involving Air Peace.
We reported that the NSIB conducted toxicology tests on Air Peace crew after the airline’s aircraft was involved in a runway incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
The NSIB, in its report, indicted an Air Peace pilot and a co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.
However, the airline dismissed NSIB’s findings, clarifying that the captain of the concerned flight was suspended from duty for failing to follow Crew Resource Management principles and ignoring a go-around call from his co-pilot, and not for testing positive for alcohol.
The airline added that the co-pilot, who had advised a go-around, had been cleared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and reinstated, noting that any involvement with drugs or alcohol would have prevented his return to active duty.
Following up on the incident on Tuesday in Abuja, NEFGAD, speaking through its
acting head of office, Barrister Unekwu Blessing Ojo, also urged President Bola Tinubu to order an independent probe into the incident.
According to the civic group, the NSIB director general’s resignation, or sack, would pave the way a thorough probe into the incident.
NEFGAD noted that the controversy surrounding the toxicology report released by NSIB and the subsequent strong denial issued by Air Peace has further deepened concerns about the credibility, professionalism, and operational integrity of the Bureau under its current leadership.
The civic organization stressed that only thorough investigation into the incident can restore public confidence in the air safety agency.
Ojo emphasized NEFGAD’s position as a critical stakeholder in the aviation sector committed to transparency, accountability and public safety within Nigeria’s aviation sector, and expressed profound disappointment in the manner the highly sensitive investigation into the runway incursion incident was handled by the NSIB
She maintained that NSIB is an aviation watchdog whose investigation requires utmost precision, neutrality and scientific rigour, stressing that any lapse, real or perceived – undermines public trust and jeopardises the confidence of both domestic and international partners in Nigeria’s air safety oversight.
“The conflicting narratives and the lack of clarity from a report issued by the NSIB itself months after the incident and series of counter claims from Air Peace is troubling and entirely alien to the Nigerian aviation sector, particularly to the operations of the Bureau since inception until Mr Badeh Jr became the Bureau’s Director General, and this have raised legitimate doubts about the Bureau’s internal processes, its adherence to global best practices, and its ability to professionally discharge its statutory mandate.
“At this critical moment, Nigeria – an aspiring nation working hard to ensure the air safety of its citizens and attract investment confidence globally – cannot afford an aviation investigative body whose operation and leadership inspires controversy rather than confidence.
“In view of the foregoing, NEFGAD calls for the immediate resignation of the Director-General of the NSIB. This action is essential to restore public trust, protect the integrity of ongoing and future investigations, and pave the way for a transparent review of the Bureau’s operational standards.
NEFGAD further urge the President to initiate an independent assessment of the NSIB – its leadership structure, investigative protocols, and quality control mechanisms using the Air Peace runway incursion as a test case and ensure that the agency is repositioned for credible, world-class performance,” Ojo said.
NEFGAD warned of protests, and possible legal action, should Badeh fail to accede to its request to resign, insisting that Nigeria’s aviation safety institutions must operate above reproach.