The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued an official clarification regarding the recent incident involving an Air Peace aircraft that collided with a large antelope at the Asaba International Airport in Delta State. Contrary to initial reports circulating on social media, FAAN confirmed that the incident did not occur at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, as widely speculated.
In a statement released by Obiageli Onah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN explained that the runway clash happened at the Delta State government-owned Asaba Airport, which is managed privately. While expressing sympathy to all affected parties, FAAN emphasized that the incident falls under the jurisdiction of the airport’s management, not the federal aviation authority.
The mishap occurred in the early hours of Friday when an Air Peace aircraft, while attempting to land, struck a large antelope that had wandered onto the runway. Although the antelope died on impact, there were no reported injuries to passengers or crew members on board. The airport was temporarily shut down as maintenance teams swiftly assessed the situation and inspected the runway for damages.
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Authorities have since launched a full investigation to determine how the animal was able to gain access to a supposedly secure runway. The incident has sparked fresh concerns about airport perimeter security and the effectiveness of wildlife management protocols at Nigerian airports.
FAAN has urged media outlets and the general public to verify all aviation-related information through official communication channels to curb the spread of misinformation. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring passenger safety and maintaining high operational standards across all airports in the country.
