The Enugu governor sympathises with 68 people aboard the aircraft and pledges full cooperation with investigators following the Benin Airport runway incident
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has assured passengers and the flying public that Enugu Air safety remains the airline’s foremost priority following a runway incident involving one of its aircraft at Benin Airport on Thursday.
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Mbah, in a statement personally signed on Friday, expressed sympathy to the 63 passengers and five crew members aboard the Embraer E170 aircraft, saying he was grateful that no one was killed or injured in the incident.
“The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway incursion involving Enugu Air Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating into Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026,” Mbah said.
He added that the state government empathised with those aboard the aircraft over what he described as a traumatic experience.
“The government empathises with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported,” the governor said.
The incident prompted the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
Mbah commended the bureau for its swift response and pledged the state government’s full cooperation with the investigation and relevant aviation regulatory authorities.
“The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident,” he said.
“The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.”
While the investigation continues, Mbah sought to reassure passengers that the airline’s operations are guided by stringent safety requirements and that the state-owned carrier would continue to prioritise safety in its operational decisions.
He said Enugu Air had been established around a safety-first culture in which passenger protection takes precedence over commercial considerations.
“While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards,” Mbah said.
“The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedule, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold that is considerably higher than the industry benchmark.”
The governor said the airline would continue to operate in accordance with global aviation safety standards while maintaining its commitment to professionalism and passenger service.
“This accounts for the growing confidence and patronage the airline has continued to enjoy from both passengers and industry stakeholders,” he said.
“Enugu Air will therefore continue to serve its teeming customers and abide by its utmost commitment to safety, professionalism and a sense of hospitality.”
The incident comes roughly a year after the launch of Enugu Air, which the governor said had received growing support from passengers and aviation stakeholders.
Mbah thanked Nigerians for what he described as an outpouring of solidarity following the runway incident, saying the public’s positive feedback about the airline had been particularly meaningful to the state government.
“We wish to express our profound gratitude to Nigerians for the outpouring of solidarity since the unfortunate incident,” he said.
“Quite uncommonly, Nigerians have continued to share their positive experiences with Enugu Air since it was launched a year ago. This matters so much to us as a government at this time.”
The governor’s statement comes as aviation authorities continue to examine the incident and work towards establishing what happened and whether any operational or environmental factors contributed to the runway occurrence.
The NSIB investigation is expected to provide a clearer account of the circumstances surrounding the incident and make recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.
For passengers, the immediate focus remains on the outcome of the investigation and any safety measures that may follow.
For Enugu Air, the incident presents a critical test of the airline’s safety systems and its ability to maintain public confidence as it continues to build its presence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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The governor’s assurance is intended to reinforce that confidence while the investigation proceeds, with the state government emphasising that the airline’s paramount responsibility remains the safety and wellbeing of its passengers and crew.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
