By John Umeh
An Air Peace flight experienced an unexpected delay on Saturday after the aircraft struck an antelope during taxiing at the Asaba International Airport. The incident, which caused a brief scare among passengers, prompted immediate response from aviation authorities and airport personnel.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a statement released hours after the occurrence, confirmed the incident and assured the public that all necessary safety procedures were promptly followed. According to the statement, no passengers or crew members were injured, and the aircraft was quickly brought to a halt without further complications.
“The aircraft encountered an antelope on the runway while taxiing for takeoff. Standard safety protocols were immediately activated. The situation was contained, and the aircraft was thoroughly inspected before being cleared for operation,” the NCAA said.
Eyewitnesses at the airport described seeing airport staff rush to the runway after the animal was hit. The flight, which was scheduled to depart for Lagos, was delayed for several hours to allow for inspection and clearance by relevant authorities.
The antelope, which had strayed onto the runway, was fatally injured. Airport management stated that investigations are ongoing to determine how the animal accessed the runway area, which is usually fenced and monitored.
An Air Peace spokesperson confirmed the delay and emphasized that the airline prioritizes passenger safety above all else.
“We regret the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen incident. Safety remains our utmost priority, and we commend the swift action of the airport authorities and our crew,” the statement read.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about wildlife intrusion at Nigerian airports, particularly in smaller regional facilities where perimeter security may be less robust. Aviation experts have repeatedly called for enhanced runway surveillance and stricter wildlife management strategies to prevent such occurrences.
Delta State aviation authorities also released a brief comment, promising to reinforce perimeter security and improve monitoring systems at the Asaba Airport to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the delay, the affected flight eventually departed safely after thorough checks were completed. Passengers, though initially shaken, praised the professionalism of the crew and airport staff in handling the situation.
