Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigeria transport

  • Seven Journalists Killed in Gombe Road Crash After Wedding Trip

    Seven Journalists Killed in Gombe Road Crash After Wedding Trip

    2025-12-30 08:00:00

    According to Punch, seven journalists died in a lone vehicle crash in Gombe State, while four others were injured after returning from a wedding trip.

    The report cited preliminary indications pointing to a possible tyre burst, with emergency responders evacuating the injured for treatment.

    The deaths have renewed concerns about roadworthiness checks, night travel risks, and the safety of pooled transport often used for group movements during the festive season.

    Channels Television reported the bus’s tyre “burst on the return journey,” leading the vehicle to lose control. Punch quoted FRSC sector commander Samson Kaura saying, “It is a lone accident, and from the information we have so far, it is very fatal.”

    Echotitbits take: Recurring ‘tyre burst’ tragedies point to weak enforcement of tyre standards and vehicle inspection culture. Watch for whether NUJ/FRSC push mandatory safety audits for union buses and tougher festive-season road checks.

    Source: The Punch — December 30, 2025 (https://punchng.com/seven-journalists-killed-in-gombe-road-crash/)

    The Punch 2025-12-30

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Air Peace CEO says 49 bird strikes hit operations as airline pushes back on regulators

    Air Peace CEO says 49 bird strikes hit operations as airline pushes back on regulators

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    Figures cited by Punch show Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema says the airline recorded 49 bird strikes in 2025, describing the incidents as a costly operational hazard that can ground aircraft and disrupt schedules.

    In related appearances, Onyema also complained about what he sees as disproportionate pressure on local carriers, citing taxes, compliance costs and agency actions as compounding the burden.

    ARISE News reported the comments, stressing that bird strikes can trigger maintenance downtime and cascading delays, especially when spare parts and replacement aircraft are limited.

    The disagreement adds to public debate over airfares, consumer protection scrutiny and the balance between safety enforcement and airline viability.

    ARISE quoted Onyema: “Air Peace has had 49 bird strikes…,” while Punch reported he said the strikes caused “serious operational setbacks.”

    Echotitbits take: Bird strikes are real, but passengers will ask what mitigation looks like—airport wildlife control, runway management and transparent incident reporting. Watch for FAAN/NCAA data disclosures and joint industry safety steps.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/air-peace-recorded-49-bird-strikes-in-2025-allen-onyema/#google_vignette – December 29, 2025
    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Passenger Wins: NCAA Says Airlines Paid Back Over N1bn in Refunds

    Passenger Wins: NCAA Says Airlines Paid Back Over N1bn in Refunds

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 09:35:00

    In an interview carried by The Punch, the NCAA says it has pushed airlines to refund passengers more consistently, disclosing over N1 billion paid back as consumer protection enforcement tightened. The regulator framed the outcome as proof that complaint systems and airline accountability are improving.

    The refunds reportedly covered delays, cancellations, and service failures where passengers were entitled to compensation under applicable rules, with the NCAA urging travelers to document complaints and use official channels rather than social-media outrage alone.

    For airlines, the development signals rising enforcement costs for poor reliability, potentially encouraging better schedule discipline, passenger communication, and quicker re-accommodation processes during disruptions.

    In additional reporting, The Guardian quoted the NCAA saying it recorded the “highest volume of refunds in the agency’s history,” while Daily Trust also reported the same outcome, stating domestic airlines “refunded over N1 billion to passengers” within the stated period.

    Echotitbits take: This is a rare win for Nigerian consumers—but sustainability matters. Watch whether NCAA publishes clearer dashboards (refund timelines, penalties, repeat offenders) and whether airlines respond by improving operational reliability rather than just paying refunds after complaints pile up.

    Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/airlines-refund-over-n1bn-as-ncaa-enforces-compliance/)

    The Punch 2025-12-25