An Air Peace aircraft traveling from Abuja to Lagos was halted in the early hours of Thursday due to suspected technical issues related to a bird strike.
The incident, which occurred while the plane was taxiing on the runway before takeoff, caused panic among passengers, some of whom expressed their fears on social media.
Prominent human rights lawyer Inihebe Effiong, a passenger on the flight, shared his experience on X, explaining that the flight, scheduled for 6:30 AM, was “forcefully” stopped, leading to screams and panic.
Effiong further reported that the aircraft’s captain attributed the issue to a bird strike, raising concerns about bird detection technology at the airport.
In response, the airline issued a statement confirming the bird strike and assuring passengers that a replacement aircraft had been deployed to minimize disruption.
The airline also appealed for understanding from affected passengers and others experiencing delays. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety and the adequacy of bird strike prevention measures at Nigerian airports.
