Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport in Edo State, urging aviation authorities to determine the cause of the incident and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The incident occurred at about 3:10 p.m. on Thursday when an Embraer E170 aircraft operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin overshot the end of Runway 05 while landing. All 63 passengers and five crew members onboard were safely evacuated, with no injuries or fatalities reported.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Friday, Obi expressed relief that everyone on board escaped unharmed and commended the pilot, cabin crew and airport emergency responders for their swift handling of the situation.

“I received, with profound relief, the news of the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft during its landing at Benin Airport,” Obi said. “The safety of human lives must always remain our highest priority in the aviation sector. 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.”

Despite the absence of casualties, Obi stressed that the incident should not be treated lightly. He urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to carry out a comprehensive investigation to establish the cause of the runway excursion and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Meanwhile, the NSIB confirmed that it had deployed a team of investigators to Benin Airport immediately after the incident. According to the bureau, investigators have secured the aircraft, examined the runway, begun interviewing the flight crew and are working to retrieve and analyse flight data as part of the investigation.

NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said runway excursions are classified as serious aviation occurrences and assured the public that the bureau would conduct an independent investigation in line with international aviation standards.

He said a preliminary report on the incident is expected within 30 days, while a final report containing findings and safety recommendations will be released after the investigation is completed.

Enugu Air, the Enugu State Government-owned airline, also confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft has been secured for technical assessment. The airline added that some flight schedules could be adjusted while regulatory authorities complete their investigations.

The incident has renewed discussions about aviation safety in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for strict adherence to safety protocols and prompt implementation of recommendations arising from accident investigations to enhance passenger confidence in air travel.