Aviation Groups Threaten To Boycott From Rivers

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Bodies representing civil aviation professionals have come together to protest the arrest of their two colleagues, Capt Samuel Buhari and Capt Samuel Ugorji in Rivers State.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had ordered the detention of the two Caverton pilots for operating a flight into Port Harcourt despite the Covid-19 lockdown.

The groups National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association and Flight Crew Association of Nigeria, in a statement co-signed by NAAPE President, Galadima Abednego; NATCA President, Abayomi Agoro and FCAN President, Capt Robert Roland, accused  Wike of misusing executive powers

They also threatened to stop flight operations in Rivers State for up to three months if the two arrested Caverton pilots were not released “unconditionally and forthwith”.

They said the pilots were “acting in capacity of the Federal Government to keep the economy of the nation running” when they were arrested by a security team led by Governor Wike on Tuesday at Port Harcourt Military Base.

The statement read in part, “It should be noted that the coalition of FCAN, AAPE and NATCA are willing to stop all civil flights operations into and originating from Rivers State at short notice and for up to three months if the remanded pilots are not released forthwith and tendered an unreserved apology for making them targets.

“We view this action as blatant violation of their individual rights, usurpation of powers and wrongful exercise of enabling status.

“Apart from being particularly concerned about the flagrant misuse of executive powers as exhibited by the Government of Rivers State without recourse to the subsisting legislation under which the arrested pilots undertake their professional assignments, we are also gravely concerned about the welfare of these pilots and their dependants back home who, no doubt, must have been in intense psychological stress.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG