The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has faulted a report by the U.S. State Department that Nigerian airports are generally unsafe, following their investigation into the helicopter crash involving the late Herbert Wigwe.

NSIB’s Director-General, Captain Alex Bade Jr, during a live programme stated that though the Bureau acknowledged challenges such as perimeter fencing and instances of wildlife intrusion at some airports but totally disagree that the nation’s gateways were unsafe.

He contended that the aforementioned were not unique to Nigeria, stating they occur at airports globally, in the United States.

His words: “We recognise the need for continuous improvement, and we commend the efforts of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in implementing upgrades.”

On the investigation into the accident involving the late banker, Bade Jr corrected the assertion that the NSIB worked “side-by-side” with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

He clarified: “We were an interested party, and were kept abreast of the process by the NTSB, which led the investigation in the United States.”

The NTSB report indicated that the probable cause of the accident was spatial disorientation, Bade Jr said, noting that the report also highlighted deficiencies in the company’s oversight and safety management processes.

Speaking on a recent incident at the Asaba airport where an aircraft was reported to have encountered animals on the runway, the DG clarified that the airline was fined and continued its journey to Abuja without any damage.