Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North in Nigeria’s National Assembly, has raised serious concerns about the conduct of certain Nigerian pilots, alleging that some engage in drug use prior to operating aircraft.
During a recent parliamentary session on Wednesday, the former governor of Abia State explicitly claimed that a number of pilots consume Indian hemp (locally known as Igbo) before taking flight.
In addition, Kalu criticized the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for failing to perform immediate and thorough evaluations of pilots’ mental and physical conditions before they board planes.
“There have been multiple instances where I have refused to fly due to pilots’ inadequate preparation. Some of these pilots are under the influence of Indian hemp,” Kalu stated.
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“This is not hearsay; it’s a reality. Several pilots smoke Indian hemp, and the regulatory bodies are not conducting proper drug screenings or on-the-spot assessments. This negligence poses a significant safety risk,” he added.
“You often see these pilots entering the cockpit without any health checks-no blood pressure monitoring, no drug tests. Their carelessness is alarming. I have personally witnessed these situations, and it’s far from acceptable.”
“The responsible agencies must step up and ensure pilots are properly monitored. Many of them treat Indian hemp like cigarettes, and the smell is unmistakable if you get close. The NCAA must return to its core responsibilities,” Kalu emphasized.
