Enugu State Governor Mbah Speaks on Enugu Air Incident at Benin Airport

Enugu State Governor Mbah Speaks on Enugu Air Incident at Benin Airport

The Governor of Enugu, Peter Mbah, has broken the silence over Thursday’s runway incident involving the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, at Benin Airport in Edo State.

Newera News learnt that Mba, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Friday, sympathised with the passengers and crew members over what he described as the traumatic experience.

Mbah applauded aviation authorities for launching an immediate probe to unravel the cause of the incident, maintaining that safety remains non-negotiable for Enugu Air.

According to him: “The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway excursion incident involving Enugu Air Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating from Lagos to Benin on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

“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 government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, in commencing the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its airline, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.

“While awaiting the outcome of the investigation, the government assures the public that the highest safety standards guide the operations of Enugu Air. The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedules, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold considerably higher than the industry benchmark.

“This accounts for the growing confidence and patronage the airline continues to enjoy from both passengers and industry stakeholders. Enugu Air will therefore continue to serve its teeming customers while upholding its commitment to safety, professionalism and hospitality.”