Senator Orji Kalu raises alarms over drug use among Nigerian pilots

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has raised alarms about alleged drug use among Nigerian pilots, claiming that some consume Indian hemp before operating flights.

During a plenary session on Wednesday, Kalu urged aviation regulators to act swiftly to protect passengers, criticizing the oversight of relevant agencies. “These agencies are not doing enough. I’ve personally chosen not to fly because the pilot appeared to be unfit. Some of them smoke Indian hemp, and it’s true,” he asserted.

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He accused regulatory bodies like the NCAA and NEMA of neglecting their duty to perform adequate medical and drug screenings. “Pilots enter the cockpit without anyone checking their blood pressure or drug levels. There’s no immediate testing. This poses a risk,” he cautioned.

Kalu shared an experience where he halted a flight due to concerns about a pilot’s fitness and called on the Minister of Aviation to enhance monitoring. “Some smoke Indian hemp like it’s a normal cigarette. You can smell it if you get close,” he claimed.

His comments follow a report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) indicating that two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis after a runway incident in July 2025 at Port Harcourt International Airport. However, Air Peace has denied these allegations, asserting that no crew member tested positive and that the airline maintains a strict no-tolerance policy regarding substance use. “Our crew were tested within an hour, and all results were negative,” the airline stated.