At least 2,038 people have been killed in various air crashes across the country in the last 56 years.
The Air Investigation Bureau-N Commissioner/CEO Engr. Akin Olateru disclosed this Sunday in Abuja at a press briefing to mark the International Day for the Commemoration of Air Crash Victims and their Families.
February 20th every year has been designated by ICAO as the International Day for the Commemoration of Air Crash Victims and their Families.
Olateru said “in Nigeria, from the year 1969 to 2022, a total of 2,038 (1996 onboard passengers and 42 on ground) lives have been lost to air crashes.
He said the casualties figures are relatively low compared to road crashes because air transport is the safest mode of transportation.
He also said the AIB is collaborating with other stakeholders like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the airlines to improve air safety in Nigeria.
“When an aircraft accident or serious incident occurs, it is always an unexpected and mostly fatal event that causes great distress and loss to the victims and their families” he noted.
“The reality is that, though quite devastating when involved in an incident, Air transportation is still the safest and quickest mode of transportation today,” he said.
He also said the AIB-N is activating its family assistance role in air accident situations following an enabling environment.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Aviation and the Bureau is following the international standards and procedures to ensure that everything is put in place to provide the requisite support for victims of air incidents and their families,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the NCAA’s Director-General, Capt Musa Nuhu, said the safety of the Nigerian airspace has improved significantly in the last five years following improved implementation of safety recommendations from AIB-N.
He said the collaboration with the AIB-N is a welcome development and pledged its sustainability.
