The Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos has been cancelled and returned to base due to a false alert of a possible bombing on Wednesday.
According to Daily Trust, the flight departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when the crew got information that there was an explosive on board.
Mr. Chris Iwarah, the Corporate Communications Manager of the carrier, released a statement confirming the incident.
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He said that the operating crew had acted professionally by turning the plane back. He also added that the source of the false information was a passenger denied access because he was suspected to be mentally unstable.
The statement read:
“We confirm that Air Peace Flight P4 7121, Abuja-Lagos on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 returned to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after the crew received information that there was a dangerous item on board.
“In line with procedures and our high safety standards, the captain-in-command acted professionally, briefed passengers on board and took the decision to return as a precaution.
“The aircraft landed in Abuja without any incident and passengers disembarked normally to enable security personnel conduct a check.
“Passengers on board the flight were screened a second time and the aircraft thoroughly checked. At the end of the exercise, the information was found to be a hoax as nothing was found on the aircraft.
“The aircraft was subsequently cleared to depart for Lagos and safely landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 11.44 a.m.
“The passenger, who gave the information, has since been taken into custody by security operatives for exhaustive investigation into the incident.”
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