By Isaac Mission
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed all relevant aviation agencies to collaborate with Enugu Air in investigating Thursday's runway excursion involving one of the airline's aircraft at Benin Airport.
Keyamo disclosed this in a statement shared on his official X account on Friday, confirming that he had been briefed on the incident. He explained that the aircraft landed safely before skidding off the runway, an occurrence known in aviation as a "runway excursion."
The minister assured the public that all passengers and crew members on board the flight were safe, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
"I have been duly informed that the incident with Enugu Air yesterday in Benin is that the aircraft skidded off the runway after landing successfully. Everyone was safe," Keyamo stated.
He added that all relevant aviation agencies had been instructed to work closely with Enugu Air to determine the cause of the incident and ensure a thorough investigation.
The incident involved an Enugu Air Embraer E170 operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin. The aircraft veered off the runway shortly after landing at Benin Airport.
Enugu Air confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members safely disembarked from the aircraft. The airline also stated that the aircraft had been secured and the appropriate aviation authorities notified in line with established safety procedures.
According to the airline, a technical assessment of the aircraft is ongoing, while some scheduled flights may experience temporary adjustments due to the incident.
Enugu Air, owned by the Enugu State Government, began commercial operations in July 2025 with a fleet of three Embraer aircraft, becoming Nigeria's second state-owned commercial airline after Ibom Air.
Following the runway excursion, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) immediately deployed its investigation team, popularly known as the "Go Team," to Benin Airport.
The bureau said investigators are preserving evidence, interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions, and reviewing operational and technical records to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., described every runway excursion as a serious occurrence requiring a thorough and independent investigation, despite the absence of injuries.
"We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries were reported. While this is reassuring, every runway excursion is a serious occurrence that deserves a thorough and independent investigation," Badeh said.
He noted that the investigation team arrived at the airport within minutes of receiving notification, reflecting the bureau's readiness and professionalism. He also urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations are ongoing.
The NSIB said it will issue a preliminary report within 30 days in accordance with regulatory requirements, while a comprehensive final report containing its findings and safety recommendations will be released after the investigation is concluded.
The incident also disrupted flight operations at Benin Airport. Following the runway closure by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to facilitate aircraft recovery and safety inspections, Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines temporarily suspended flights to and from the airport.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is providing regulatory oversight, while FAAN is expected to reopen the runway after recovery operations and all necessary safety assessments have been completed.
