Two Air Peace staff members have denied claims by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) that they tested positive for alcohol and cannabis following a runway incursion involving one of the airline’s aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The co-pilot, David Bernard, and a cabin crew member, Maduneme Victory, who were among the crew of the July 13, 2025 flight, dismissed the NSIB report as false and defamatory.

The preliminary report released by NSIB had alleged that toxicological screening revealed the presence of alcohol in the system of the flight crew, while one cabin crew member tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

It was gathered that the aircraft had veered off the runway and stopped 209 metres into the clearway after landing far beyond the recommended touchdown zone. All passengers disembarked safely, but the incident sparked concerns over air safety.

Appearing on Arise Television on Friday, Bernard faulted the toxicology process, claiming the tests were not conducted at an aviation-recognised facility.

“I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke. The tests were carried out at a hospital that is not certified for aviation toxicology. Our blood and urine were taken on July 13, but results only came 10 days later. In 2025, such tests should be immediate. This is nothing but an attempt to smear our names and the airline,” he said.

Victory, the cabin crew member, alleged a smear campaign, stating that a subsequent confirmatory test at an accredited aerospace clinic cleared her of any drug use.

“If truly marijuana was in my system, NSIB should have stopped me from flying immediately. Instead, I kept flying until weeks later when this report came out. This is pure defamation, and if they don’t withdraw the report, I’ll go to court,” she warned.

Responding, NSIB’s Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh, insisted the tests were legitimate and carried out by Rivers State Hospital Management, not the bureau itself.

“This is not our first preliminary report. Such reactions are expected, but these were official toxicology results,” he said.

Air Peace, however, backed its staff, stating that the co-pilot had since been cleared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and returned to active duty.

“If he were guilty of drug or alcohol use, NCAA would not have cleared him to fly,” the airline maintained.

The airline also faulted NSIB for failing to officially communicate its findings, describing the move as unfair and capable of damaging reputations.

“We are yet to receive official communication from NSIB. As a responsible airline, we conduct frequent random drug and alcohol checks stricter than regulatory requirements,” the airline said.