Aviation workers threaten to stop flight operations in Rivers State — As Rivers shutdown Caverton Helicopters’ offices

A coalition of civil aviation professionals on Thursday asked for the immediate unconditional release of the two arrested Caverton pilots in Rivers State or face flight boycott for up to three months.

The body, which comprised the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association and Flight Crew Association of Nigeria, maintained that Capt Samuel Buhari and Capt Samuel Ugorji were “acting in capacity of the Federal Government to keep the economy of the nation running” when they were arrested by a security team led by Governor Nyesom Wike on Tuesday at Port Harcourt Military Base.

In a statement co-signed by NAAPE President, Galadima Abednego; NATCA President, Abayomi Agoro and FCAN President, Capt Robert Roland, the body alleged Wike of misusing executive powers.

The statement read in part, “It should be noted that the coalition of FCAN, AAPE and NATCA are willing to stop all civil flights operations into and originating from Rivers State at short notice and for up to three months if the remanded pilots are not released forthwith and tendered an unreserved apology for making them targets.

“We view this action as blatant violation of their individual rights, usurpation of powers and wrongful exercise of enabling status.

“Apart from being particularly concerned about the flagrant misuse of executive powers as exhibited by the Government of Rivers State without recourse to the subsisting legislation under which the arrested pilots undertake their professional assignments, we are also gravely concerned about the welfare of these pilots and their dependants back home who, no doubt, must have been in intense psychological stress.

“We, therefore, through this medium, urge the relevant Federal Government authorities to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of these pilots who have been subjected to this unwarranted punishment not known to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, in a swift compliance to the directive of Governor Nyesom Wike that Caverton Helicopters’ offices be closed, one of the company’s offices in Rivers has been shut down.

The sealing of the office was effected by the Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council, Solomon Abel Eke, on Thursday in the council.

In a Facebook post by, the Media Aide to Solomon Eke, the Chairman of Obio-Akpor local Council, Dagogo Isaac posted photos of the sealing off order by the Council Chairman.

According to him, “Obio/Akpor Council Boss Enforces Governor’s Directive, Seals Premises of Caverton.

“Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abel Eke, in a swift move this morning sealed up the premises of Caverton Helicopters over non-compliance with the lockdown on the state’s land, sea and air borders.”

Recall that Wike had on Wednesday directed all LG chairmen to seal any offices of Caverton Helicopters in their domains.

According to Wike, “We shall not welcome businesses or companies that value their business activities or profit more than or in clear disregard of the lives and health of our people.

“By its action, Caverton Helicopters has clearly shown that Rivers’ lives do not matter to it. It is an enemy of Rivers people and is hereby declared persona non grata in Rivers State.

“With this declaration Caverton Helicopters can only choose to operate in any part of Rivers State at its own risk as Local Government Chairmen have been directed to close their offices and prevent their operations.”