The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited.

The incident occurred on 13 July 2025 at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an instability final approach.

The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway.

NSIB, in a statement signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, said that all passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.

Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.

A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.

These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.

The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling instability approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.

The full preliminary report, including detailed findings, is available for download on the NSIB website.

The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis.

The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a senior commander of the proscribed terror group Ansaru, Mahmud Usman, to 15 years in prison.

He pleaded guilty for involvement in illegal mining to finance arms procurement for terrorism and kidnappings.

The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned Usman, who admitted that proceeds from the illicit mining supported his terrorist activities.

Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the sentence but ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody pending his trial for 31 other terrorism-related charges.

In the Court’s filings, Usman and his associate, Abubakar Abba, were accused to have launched a deadly attack on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Niger State in 2022, which resulted in mass casualties.

The charges also alleged that both men received training in weapons handling, bomb-making and guerrilla tactics from camps in Nigeria and Mali.

The DSS further claims that the two commanders masterminded the July 2022 raid on Kuje prison near Abuja, which freed more than 600 inmates, including hardened extremists.

• Delta Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori/ Government House photo

The Delta State Government has issued a new directive banning bushy beards, artificial braided or tainted hair, long eyelashes, fake nails, and other forms of what it calls “indecent appearance” among public servants.

The ban was announced in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, which stated that all public servants must now appear in neat, professional, and modest attire that reflects their level in the civil service.

In the the circular, male civil servants are no longer allowed to grow bushy beards or wear certain traditional caps such as the “Resource Control” or “Papas” caps. Female staff are now prohibited from coming to work with artificial braided or dyed (tainted) hair, long eyelashes, and fake nails.

The directive also provides updated dress code standards. Senior officers are expected to wear full corporate suits, while junior officers must dress in trousers with shirts and ties.

Traditional attire is permitted only on Fridays or for special events and must be clean, decent, and modest.

For female public servants, acceptable clothing includes trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns that fall below the knee and have sleeves. Sleeveless outfits, spaghetti straps, revealing clothing, and any dress that exposes cleavage are strictly banned.

(The Guardian)