Management of foremost carrier, Air Peace has made it known that the bomb threat on one of its Abuja-Lagos aircraft was nothing but a false alarm. This is coming after an unnamed passenger on board Air Peace Flight P4 7121 alerted the airline of a bomb onboard the aircraft.
In a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah confirmed the incident, saying the operating crew acted professionally and took the decision to return as a precaution.
According to him, the false information was generated by an intending passenger who was denied boarding after the crew suspected he might be mentally challenged.
“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.
“We commend our valued customers on board the flight for their calm and cooperation while the checks lasted. The safety, security and well-being of our customers and crew will continue to be our priority at all times,” Air Peace said.
Passengers onboard the Abuja-Lagos bound Air Peace flight has also commended the crew of the flight for prioritizing their safety and returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after receiving information that there was an explosive on board the aircraft.
The passenger has since been taken into custody by security agents for raising a false alarm and causing panic amidst the passengers on board.
Reacting to this incident, The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also affirmed that the news that a bomb was planted on an early morning Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos on Wednesday was nothing but false.
In a statement issued by Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, she said that the passenger who raised the false alarm had a history of mental illness and was undergoing assessment with medical experts.
