Business
Max Air confirms engine-related anomaly after Abuja–Katsina flight returns mid-air
Max Air has confirmed that one of its Abuja–Katsina flights made an air return to Abuja on Monday after the crew detected what the airline described as an engine-related anomaly shortly after takeoff.
The development followed multiple passenger accounts shared on social media describing moments of panic onboard the aircraft after loud banging sounds were reportedly heard during the flight.
In a statement issued after the incident, the airline said Flight VM1620, operated with aircraft registration 5N-DAB, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday before the crew observed an indication suggesting an engine malfunction about 15 minutes into the journey.
According to the airline, the pilots immediately initiated a return to Abuja in line with standard aviation safety procedures.
“The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury or incident,” Max Air said.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported passenger accounts of the incident, with several travellers describing how the aircraft allegedly shook violently shortly after takeoff, causing fear among passengers.
However, Max Air maintained that the situation was handled in accordance with established safety procedures and stressed that passenger safety remained its highest priority.
Replacement aircraft deployed
The airline said it subsequently deployed a replacement aircraft, identified as 5N-DMK, from Kano to Abuja to continue the Abuja–Katsina service and other scheduled operations.
It also disclosed that its engineering and technical teams had commenced a comprehensive assessment of the affected aircraft in line with regulatory and safety protocols.
Max Air noted that it remains in communication with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and would cooperate with any review arising from the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had yet to issue an official statement on the development.
The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that the agency was initially unaware of the incident but would make findings and provide updates if necessary.
The incident adds to growing public attention on airline operations and technical reliability in Nigeria’s aviation sector amid recurring concerns over delays, disruptions and safety-related incidents.
BY NECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Securities and Exchange Commission has said it is placing artificial intelligence, data analytics and technology-driven regulation at the centre of Nigeria’s capital market reforms to attract both local and foreign investments.
Speaking at the FSDH Investor Conference 2026 in Lagos, the Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, said the future of global investing would increasingly depend on the quality of intelligence, data and technology supporting investment decisions rather than the size of capital alone.
According to him, the era of “intelligent investing” has already arrived, driven by artificial intelligence, real-time analytics, distributed ledger technology and algorithmic systems that are reshaping how investments are priced, allocated and protected globally.
He said, “We are at the threshold of what scholars and practitioners are calling the era of intelligent investing — a paradigm in which data does not merely inform decisions, but actively participates in them.”
Agama noted that the SEC had embarked on what he described as the most comprehensive regulatory reform agenda in its history to ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the evolving global investment environment.
He explained that the Commission’s reforms were aimed at creating a forward-looking market structure capable of supporting intelligent investing through faster settlement systems, tokenised securities and deeper derivatives markets.
According to him, the Commission’s seven-pillar capital market infrastructure vision includes plans to achieve T+1 settlement cycles, expand digital assets regulation and build a comprehensive framework for tokenised securities.
The SEC boss said the Commission was also developing governance frameworks for artificial intelligence applications in the capital market to ensure transparency, accountability and investor confidence.
“We are developing AI governance frameworks for capital market participants — frameworks that demand explainability, accountability and algorithmic fairness. An investor in Nigeria deserves to know not only what decisions were made on their behalf, but how those decisions were reached,” he said.
Agama stated that intelligent investing must be inclusive and accessible to ordinary Nigerians, adding that the SEC’s fintech-bank integration strategy targets about 20 million retail investors across the country.
He said technology and data-driven investing tools could democratise access to wealth creation opportunities for small businesses, artisans and low-income earners who had previously been excluded from formal investment systems.
The SEC DG also stressed the importance of collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, fintech firms and investors in building a resilient and technology-driven market ecosystem.
According to him, Nigeria’s capital market reforms and adoption of intelligent investing frameworks would strengthen investor confidence, improve market transparency and position the country as a leading investment destination in Africa.
He added that the Commission was strengthening investor protection through enhanced enforcement mechanisms, financial literacy programmes and the establishment of a dedicated Investor Protection Department.
Agama said, “Confidence is the ultimate asset in a capital market. Every disclosure we enforce, every fraud we prosecute, every investor we educate adds to the stock of market confidence.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s growing role in African capital market integration and digital finance initiatives would help channel long-term investments into infrastructure, gender finance and other critical sectors of the economy.
The SEC DG commended FSDH Merchant Bank for creating a platform for stakeholders to discuss the future of intelligent investing, adding that collaboration and data-sharing among market participants would be critical to building globally competitive financial markets in Nigeria.
The post SEC positions AI, data-driven regulation to attract investments appeared first on Business Today NG.
Air Peace has announced another disruption to its Lagos–London Gatwick service after one of its international flights was forced to return to Lagos due to what the airline described as airspace-related operational issues.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the airline said the incident affected its scheduled Lagos–London Gatwick service of 13 May 2026.
According to the airline, the aircraft returned safely to Lagos after encountering what it described as “enroute access issues” involving the airspace authorities of an African country.
“As a result of the development and the need for immediate operational clarification with the relevant authorities, the aircraft safely returned to Lagos in accordance with established international aviation procedures,” the airline said.
Air Peace said the London service was subsequently rescheduled while discussions with the relevant authorities continued.
The airline added that affected passengers were informed about the development and provided with support services and other necessary assistance following the disruption.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected passengers for the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen disruption which was beyond our control,” the airline stated.
The incident adds to a growing number of operational disruptions involving airlines in Nigeria in recent months, with passengers increasingly raising concerns over delays, cancellations, rescheduled flights and mid-journey returns.
For many travellers, such incidents have continued to fuel frustration over uncertainty in flight schedules, operational reliability, and passenger experience within the country’s aviation sector.
READ ALSO: Air Peace says aircraft replaced, Gatwick passengers accommodated after incident
PREMIUM TIMES had also earlier reported several disruptions involving Air Peace operations, including passenger complaints linked to delays, cancellations and operational challenges affecting some domestic and international routes.
Although the airline has repeatedly attributed many of the disruptions to operational challenges, technical issues, bird strikes and Jet A1 aviation fuel-related constraints, the incidents have continued to attract public attention, particularly as more Nigerian travellers rely on the carrier for regional and international flights.
Air Peace said it remains committed to operational safety, regulatory compliance and passenger service across its network.
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