NCAA suspends two ValueJet pilots for violating safety protocol

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, over a serious ValueJet pilot safety breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to a statement released and signed by Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the pilots were involved in a serious breach of aviation safety regulations on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

“Preliminary information indicates that the pilot in question commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols,” Achimugu said in the statement.

“This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards
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This safety breach was said to have endangered the lives of ground personnel and other airport users, in direct violation of civil aviation rules.

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To emphasise its zero-tolerance stance on safety violations, NCAA suspended the pilot’s and co-pilot’s licences immediately, pending the outcome of a full-scale investigation.

According to the NCAA, this suspension will remain in place pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident.