Peter Obi Calls for Thorough Probe of Enugu Air Runway Excursion in Benin

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into Friday’s runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at the Benin Airport.

Obi made the call in a statement shared via his official X handle on Friday, July 24, while expressing gratitude that all 68 passengers and crew members on board escaped the incident unhurt.

He said he received the news of the runway excursion with “profound relief,” noting that the safe evacuation of everyone on board was the most important outcome.

“I join all Nigerians in expressing heartfelt gratitude to God Almighty that all 68 passengers and crew members on board disembarked safely, with no injuries or casualties recorded. The safety of human lives must always remain our highest priority,” Obi said.

READ ALSO: Aviation Minister Orders Probe Into Enugu Air Runway Excursion

The former Anambra State governor also praised the pilot, flight crew and emergency response personnel at the Benin Airport for their swift response, saying their professionalism prevented what could have become a major tragedy.

“I commend the pilot, the flight crew, and the airport emergency response teams at Benin Airport for their swift and professional handling of the situation, which averted what could have been a major tragedy. Their calmness and decisiveness under pressure are deeply commendable,” he added.

Obi, however, said the incident underscores the need to strengthen aviation safety across the country through strict compliance with safety protocols, regular aircraft maintenance and continuous upgrades of airport infrastructure.

According to him, “the incident serves as a sober reminder of the critical need for strict adherence to aviation safety protocols, rigorous routine maintenance, and continuous infrastructure upgrades across our airports nationwide.”

He urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to carry out “a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation into the root cause of this incident.”

Obi stressed that lessons from the incident should be used to improve safety standards and sustain public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

“Learning from occurrences such as this is essential to strengthening public confidence in our aviation sector and ensuring that our skies remain consistently safe,” he said.