An Air Peace flight scheduled to depart from Abuja to Lagos made an emergency stop on Thursday morning due to suspected technical issues, sparking panic among passengers.

Following the incident, many took to social media to share their concerns.

Human rights lawyer, Inihebe Effiong, one of the passengers, narrated the experience on his X handle.

He noted that the 6:30 a.m. flight was “forcefully” halted during taxiing.

According to him: “While taxiing on the runway and just before takeoff, our Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos, scheduled for 6:30 AM today, was stopped abruptly, causing panic and screams from some passengers.”

Effiong said the aircraft’s captain attributed the incident to a bird strike, raising questions about recent Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) claims regarding their multimillion-naira investment in bird strike prevention equipment.

He stated that: “We have been deboarded and are awaiting either a replacement aircraft or repairs,” Effiong added.

Thankfully, this issue occurred before takeoff. It could have been far more frightening in the air. I also wonder if bird detection radar technology is in use at the domestic wing of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.”