Chaos at Benin Airport: Enugu Air Incident Disrupts Travel, Sparks High-Level Reactions
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Enugu Air CEO Tolu Ita have addressed the recent runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 at Benin Airport, assuring the public that all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated without injuries. The incident, attributed to hydroplaning during landing, has prompted a thorough investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and led to temporary flight suspensions at Benin Airport by other airlines.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has broken his silence regarding the runway excursion incident involving the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, at Benin Airport in Edo State. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, July 23, 2026, involved an Enugu Air Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating from Lagos to Benin. Governor Mbah expressed profound sympathy for the 63 passengers and five crew members on board, describing the experience as traumatic but expressing gratitude that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported.
The Governor commended the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for its swift action in launching an immediate probe to ascertain the cause of the incident. He unequivocally stated that safety remains non-negotiable for Enugu Air, assuring the public that the airline operates under the highest safety standards, with a corporate culture prioritizing safety above profit and schedules. He also pledged Enugu Air's full cooperation with the investigation and regulatory authorities.
Adding clarity to the situation, Tolu Ita, the Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager of Enugu Air, issued a video message clarifying that the event was neither a crash nor an emergency landing, but rather a