Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, Peter Obi, has expressed relief after an Enugu Air aircraft was involved in a runway excursion while landing at Benin Airport, with all 68 passengers and crew emerging unhurt.
In a statement on Thursday made available to The News Chronicle, Obi thanked God that there were no injuries or fatalities, describing the safe evacuation of everyone on board as a blessing.
“The safety of human lives must always remain our highest priority,” he said.
Obi also praised the pilot, flight crew, and emergency response teams at Benin Airport for their swift and professional handling of the incident, saying their calmness and decisive actions prevented what could have been a major tragedy.
While celebrating the safe outcome, the former Anambra State governor stressed that the incident should serve as a wake-up call for the aviation sector, urging strict compliance with safety protocols, regular aircraft maintenance, and sustained upgrades to airport infrastructure.
He called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to carry out a comprehensive, transparent, and timely investigation into the cause of the runway excursion.
According to Obi, identifying the root cause of the incident is essential to strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry and ensuring safer skies for all travellers.
He concluded by praying for God’s continued protection over all air travellers across the country.
