Gov Mbah breaks silence over Enugu Air incident in Benin airport

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

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Friday, the governor sympathized with the passengers and crew members over what he described as the traumatic experience.

Mbah applauded aviation authorities for launching 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 operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards. 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.”