Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has ordered a full investigation into a runway incident involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport on Thursday, July 23.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, Keyamo said the plane with registration number 5N-ENR “skidded off the runway after landing successfully” — what aviation officials call a “runway excursion.” All 68 passengers and crew members onboard were unhurt.
“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,” the minister wrote. “I have directed all the relevant agencies to work closely with Enugu Air to unravel the cause.”
Enugu Air confirmed in its own statement that passengers and crew disembarked safely with no injuries or fatalities. The airline said the aircraft has been secured and aviation authorities were notified according to standard procedure.
The incident forced the closure of Benin Airport’s runway, leading to major disruptions.
Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines both suspended all flights to and from Benin until further notice. United Nigeria said the shutdown was ordered by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, following the excursion. The airline apologized to passengers and advised them to contact customer service for rebooking.
Authorities are yet to announce when the runway will reopen.
