Private Jet's Unauthorized Landing Near Asaba Airport

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the unauthorized landing of a foreign-registered private jet on a concrete road near Asaba Airport as a significant security breach. The incident occurred on June 10 when the US-registered Bombardier Challenger 601-3A, registration number N989BC, operated by VMO Aero Limited, was flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Asaba Airport.

Keyamo stated that the aircraft had received clearance to land on the airport runway but instead landed outside the airport perimeter. The pilots and crew have been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for questioning.

Keyamo emphasized that the control tower had properly cleared the aircraft for landing, and the crew's decision to land on a road raised security concerns, especially as they departed before investigators could examine the aircraft. The pilot, reportedly over 70 years old, was noted to be operating under US regulations, which differ from Nigerian regulations that prohibit commercial pilots from flying beyond the age of 65.