The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has demanded Senator Orji Uzor Kalu substantiate statements he made at the plenary over pilots allegedly smoking Indian hemp and flying under the influence or publicly withdraw his remarks and apologise to Nigerian aviators.
NAAPE described the Indian hemp allegation as baseless, malicious, and damaging to the reputation of aviation professionals who operate under strict regulatory oversight. The Association said the statement was not only false but dangerous, as it could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation safety system.
NAAPE reaffirmed that Nigerian pilots are bound by stringent regulatory and medical standards set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements. These standards prohibit the use of psychoactive substances such as Indian hemp and mandate regular and random toxicology tests for all licensed pilots.
The Association expressed confidence in the NCAA’s robust oversight system, stressing that continuous enforcement of international best practices ensures flight safety and sustains Nigeria’s strong safety record.
NAAPE Rejects Baseless Indian Hemp Allegation Against Pilots
NAAPE warned that false claims about pilots smoking Indian hemp could mislead the public and demoralise aviation professionals. It cautioned that such unverified remarks could erode passenger trust and damage the image of the nation’s aviation industry.
“It is unacceptable to make unsubstantiated claims against a community of professionals,” said Captain Bunmi Gindeh, President of NAAPE. “The burden of proof lies with whoever makes such an allegation, and it must be supported by evidence or withdrawn with a public apology.”
Captain Gindeh noted that Nigerian pilots undergo rigorous psychological, medical, and professional assessments before and during their service. “To broadly generalise and suggest that Nigerian pilots operate aircraft after smoking Indian hemp is deeply unfair to thousands of disciplined professionals who dedicate their lives to safety,” he added.
NAAPE called on Senator Kalu to immediately present credible evidence of his claims to the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) or issue a public retraction and apology.
The Association further urged the NCAA to issue a public clarification outlining existing drug and alcohol testing procedures for pilots to reassure the flying public and correct the misconceptions caused by the Senator’s remarks.
NAAPE reaffirmed that safety remains its foremost priority, and any verified misconduct involving substance use like Indian hemp is met with swift disciplinary and regulatory action.
The Association also invited the Senate Committee on Aviation to engage directly with stakeholders to better understand the professional and safety frameworks guiding pilot operations in Nigeria.
“Our skies remain among the safest in Africa because Nigerian pilots are among the most competent and safety-conscious professionals globally,” NAAPE stated. “We will continue to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and integrity.”
